SBS Apologizes for False Gang Allegations Against President Lee Jae-myung
Seoul, South Korea – The South Korean broadcasting network SBS has issued an official apology for raising unsubstantiated claims linking President Lee Jae-myung to a violent gang in Seongnam. The apology comes eight years after the initial report and follows a recent Supreme Court ruling in a related case.
Background of the Allegations
The allegations first surfaced in a 2018 episode of SBS’s investigative news program, “I Want to Understand That” (G-R), titled “Organized Crime and Power – The Pattaya Murder Case, One Year Later.” The broadcast suggested a connection between then-Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and members of an international mafia organization based in Seongnam, alleging he aided a murder suspect. Sedaily
The claims were revived in 2021, ahead of the presidential election, when accusations were made publicly by Jang Young-ha, chairman of the People Power Party’s Seongnam Sujeong-gu chapter. Sedaily
Supreme Court Ruling and Apology
On December 12th, the Supreme Court upheld a one-year prison sentence with a two-year probation for Jang Young-ha for disseminating false information under the Public Official Election Act. Sedaily This ruling effectively confirmed the allegations were legally untrue.
In response, the production team of “G-R” released a statement on March 20, 2026, apologizing for “raising suspicions without any solid basis.” MSN They pledged to adhere to SBS’s journalism rules, enacted in 2024, to ensure accurate and objective reporting in the future.
President Lee’s Response and Call for Accountability
President Lee Jae-myung publicly demanded an apology from SBS and the People Power Party, stating the allegations were fabricated for political purposes. He expressed a desire for a sincere apology, stating, “I just want to hear one word: I’m sorry.” MK He also described the broadcast as an attempt at “physical terrorism” and “image damage operations.” MK
The presidential office has requested follow-up reporting from media outlets that previously covered the allegations, based on the Supreme Court’s decision. Sedaily
Future Actions by SBS
SBS has committed to deleting the problematic broadcast from replays and airing future reports to address the damage caused by the initial reporting on “8 o’clock news.” Sedaily
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