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| MBC Newsdesk anchor Wang Jong-myung speaks during an interview with actress Yoon Ji-oh in this captured image from MBC. |
By Anna J. Park
MBC Newsdesk anchor Wang Jong-myung apologized on Tuesday for his inappropriate demeanor to an interviewee. He had actress Yoon Ji-oh on his evening news show to tell her side of the story about fellow actress Jang Ja-yeon who committed suicide in 2009.
In his opening remarks for the nightly news, Wang admitted what he had done the day before during the interview was wrong. He said he was particularly sorry for his repeated questions to Yoon if she could disclose the full names of four people who were mentioned in Jang's list of people who allegedly sexually exploited her.
"After the news program, there was lots of criticism about me from our viewers. They said I was rude and inappropriate, which I agree," he said. "I was wrong and accept their criticism with a heavy heart. I sincerely apologize to Yoon Ji-oh and our viewers for my thoughtless attitude."
Yoon appeared at the news studio on Monday evening, after giving witness testimony to a court earlier that day in the sexual assault trial concerning fellow actress Jang, who committed suicide in 2009.
The news show host repeatedly asked Yoon if she could reveal the full names of four high-profile figures who were mentioned in the list instead of just giving their initials.
The 31-year-old actress refused to answer, saying revealing the names could constitute defamation.
"I am not revealing their names, not because I want to protect them, but because I could be sued for defamation, as they are influential figures," Yoon said, adding she also suffered numerous life-threatening experiences over the last decade, which caused her to return to Canada.
Despite her refusal, the anchor didn't back off. He was aggressive and demanded the interviewee rethink her decision.
"Don't you think revealing their full names here in this live interview which airs all across the nation in real time is the easier, more efficient way to bring justice than testifying to what you saw and experienced before the police or the prosecution?" he asked.
Yoon asked him back, "If I do so, would you be willing to take the consequential risks?"
She went on to say, "My testimony here will be brief. But I have to live with the consequences for the rest of my life. I consistently testified the names to the police and prosecutors."
The MBC anchor has been facing a flurry of criticism from viewers. One internet user alleged Wang is self-serving and his aggressiveness disturbed his viewers. "You drove me crazy all during the interview. I was upset because of your questions," the internet user wrote on the message board of the MBC website.
Regarding actress Yoon's concern about defamation, a law professor explains that even speaking the truth could result in defamation charges under the Korean legal system.
Park Kyung-sin, a professor at Korea University Law School, however, said she could be exempt from punishment if she made the remarks solely out of public interest. "Regarding the Jang Ja-yeon case, I think it qualifies for the exemption. But I also understand her fear," he said.
Meanwhile, Yoon said on Tuesday through an Instagram posting that she personally received an apology from the anchor over the matter. She said, although she understands the anchor's position, she hopes media interviews could be done in a more considerate manner.
Earlier this week, President Moon Jae-in ordered the nation's prosecutors to thoroughly investigate the sex scandal, involving the suicide of actress Jang Ja-yeon in 2009.
