South Korea lawmakers question Kim Eo-jun over indictment deal claim involving Lee Jae-myung
South Korea’s prominent broadcaster Kim Eo-jun appeared at a full session of the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee in Yeouido, Seoul, answering lawmakers’ questions. The appearance comes amid a broader political firestorm over comments and guests on Kim’s show, which has long drawn a strong following.
On February 13, the ruling Democratic Party publicly demanded an apology from Kim in connection with the controversy sparked by a February 10 broadcast of Kim’s program, News Factory. Former journalist Jang In-su appeared on the show and raised a claim about what he called a “deal” to drop an indictment involving President Lee Jae-myung, prompting a wave of criticism and calls for accountability.
Democratic Party lawmaker Han Joon-ho, who has announced a bid to become governor of Gyeonggi Province, told CBS Radio that live platforms inherently carry risk because hosts may say unexpected things. He added that when problems arise, there should be apologies and concrete steps to prevent recurrence, arguing that the party relies heavily on this channel and that internal safeguards should be strengthened after the Jang incident.
Another party member, Yoon Jun-byeong, posted on Facebook that accountability should extend beyond the speaker to include those who provide the platform for such broadcasts. An external faction aligned with the party, the The Democratic Party Nationwide Innovation Council, released a statement urging Kim to apologize and to implement measures to prevent a repeat.
The Jang-In-su appearance and his assertion that the president moved to drop the indictment continue to reverberate. Kim had previously embraced the interview as an exclusive scoop but, as pressure mounted, he backed away, saying he did not know what he would say in advance. He claimed that the credibility of the content would be proven by records and timing, and he warned that any lawsuits would be challenged as groundless.
Inside the party, observers note signs that Kim’s influence may be waning. Some lawmakers who once appeared on Kim’s program to raise profile said there is little motivation to continue doing so. Song Young-gil, a former party leader who recently rejoined the party, told CBS that he had not been invited to appear and would likely decline even if asked. Park Chan-dae, another member, suggested guest appearances could fall.
Leader Jeong Cheong-rae spoke at a standing committee meeting in Sunchang, North Jeolla Province, but he did not single out Kim in relation to the “indictment deal” claims. The party reiterated plans to pursue consequences under Korea’s Information and Communications Network Act for alleged false statements related to the matter, targeting Jang In-su, among others.
Support for Kim’s show has been evident on the online community board Ddanji Ilbo, where supporters flooded the site with messages backing the broadcaster. The board is known for rallying Kim’s followers and coordinating commentary in his defense.
Why this matters for the United States: South Korea is a major hub for tech, media, and digital platforms with extensive cross-border reach. How South Korean lawmakers and courts handle live broadcasting, defamation, and platform accountability can influence foreign media partnerships, content moderation practices, and regulatory expectations for U.S.-based platforms operating in Korea or engaging with Korean audiences. The episode also highlights how prominent media figures and political actors interact in a modern, live-news environment, shaping public discourse, political credibility, and the reception of policy debates—issues that resonate with American audiences concerned about media influence, misinformation, and democratic accountability in a digital age.