Seoul - In a recent statement, the presidential office of South Korea has vehemently denied allegations of exerting coercion or pressure on journalists, addressing the uproar following comments made by a senior presidential secretary that were deemed threatening by some members of the press. The controversy centers around remarks by Hwang Sang-moo, the senior presidential secretary for civil and social agenda, which some interpreted as intimidating towards the media.
According to Yonhap News Agency, where Hwang's reference to a historical incident involving harm to a journalist was construed by some as a veiled threat against media freedom. The presidential office clarified that these remarks were not indicative of any government policy or practice aimed at stifiling press freedom or engaging in surveillance of the media. Furthermore, the statement underlined that the administration has not conducted any unjust tax inspections or intelligence activities targeting media organizations, distancing itself from practices associated with previous governments.
The presidential office reiterated its commitment to upholding the principles of press freedom and media responsibility, emphasizing that respecting these values remains a core aspect of the government's administrative ethos.