Lawmaker Choi Minhee Reported to Police for Calling Photo and Video Journalists "A Pack of Hyenas"

Choi Minhee, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has been reported on suspicion of defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection after posting a photo of photo and video journalists covering a Democratic Party lawmakers' caucus meeting in a group KakaoTalk chat with local constituency party members and others, along with the comments, "A pack of hyenas" and "They are doing that to film a video that will somehow drive a wedge between people."

On the morning of Nov. 12, former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Lee Jong-bae said he had filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency through the e-People portal, accusing Supreme Council member Choi of defamation by spreading false information under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.

Choi Minhee, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, answers reporters' questions after a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 11th to announce her position on remarks about journalists. Photo by National Assembly Photojournalists' Group

Lee said that Choi's post, which she uploaded with a photo on Nov. 5 to a group chat with around 400 local constituency party members and others, constituted "publicly disclosing false information through an information and communications network with the intent to slander another person, thereby damaging that person's reputation." Under Article 70, Paragraph 2 of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, this is a crime punishable by 'up to seven years in prison, suspension of qualifications for up to 10 years, or a fine of up to 70 million won.'

Lee said that the journalists "were engaged in entirely normal activities covering the Democratic Party's lawmakers' caucus meeting at the National Assembly at the time," adding, "The claim that they were 'trying to film a video to drive a wedge between people,' made without any basis simply because they covered the caucus meeting, is clearly false. The expression 'a pack of hyenas' also reveals an intent to slander them." He said these were the reasons for filing the complaint.

He said, "Calling journalists who were carrying out normal and legitimate reporting activities 'a pack of hyenas' is a despicable act that shows the level of contempt for the press. I cannot conceal my shock at the hypocrisy and double standards of people who speak of democracy while trying to muzzle media outlets that make them uncomfortable and hurling contempt and ridicule at them."

Lee also said, "If the ruling party cannot tolerate uncomfortable questions and reporting, it is unfit to govern. Moreover, Supreme Council member Choi has in the past taken the lead in suppressing the media, including by having media company staff removed over unfavorable reports and clashing with journalists during reporting. This incident must not be dismissed as a mere slip of the tongue."

He continued, "Therefore, in addition to punishment following an investigation, the National Assembly should impose the highest level of disciplinary action, and the Democratic Party should announce firm measures to prevent a recurrence. The media is the last line of defense in keeping power in check. If press freedom collapses, the country will ultimately descend into dictatorship and democracy will crumble."

Finally, Lee said, "This is an extremely serious matter. It must not be brushed aside with a reluctant apology. I ask the investigative authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and impose severe punishment on Choi Minhee, the subject of the complaint."

The Korea Photojournalists Association and the Korea Video Journalists Association issued a statement in front of the National Assembly press photographers' room on the 11th, condemning Choi Minhee, a senior member of the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council, for disparaging photo and video journalists at the National Assembly as "a pack of hyenas." Photo by Joint Press Corps.

After a news outlet published a screenshot of a group chat for party members in Namyangju containing the photo and comments in question the previous day, Supreme Council member Choi apologized on Facebook, saying, "I once posted a photo in a private chat with friends and supporters and wrote how I felt about it at the time. Today, a little over a week later, the photo and comments I posted were leaked. I acknowledge that my wording was excessive and inappropriate, and I apologize." She also held a press conference to apologize, bowing her head.

After Choi's post became public, the Korea Photojournalists Association and the Korea Video Journalists Association issued a statement condemning her, saying, "We strongly condemn Supreme Council member Choi for using insulting language toward photojournalists covering the National Assembly and maliciously distorting their legitimate reporting activities." They criticized her, saying, "Dismissing the legitimate reporting activities of photojournalists covering the National Assembly as political divisiveness and ridiculing journalists by comparing them to animals is an obvious insult to journalists and an inappropriate act that could constitute defamation."

They added, "If a responsible explanation and a commitment to prevent a recurrence are not forthcoming, we will consider legal action over defamation and insult."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.