Lawmaker says he is the one who turns on MBC at National Assembly bathhouse

Rep. Lee Goang-hee of the Democratic Party of Korea / Captured from his Facebook account Rep. Lee Goang-hee of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has responded to criticism from ruling party floor leader Rep.

Kweon Seong-dong, who recently accused lawmakers of favoring "biased media," claiming that MBC is played every day at the National Assembly bathhouse. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Lee said, “I’m one of the earliest to arrive at the National Assembly bathhouse, and I’m the one who always turns on MBC.” He added, “Everyone knows this, yet they make petty remarks like this.



No wonder he's the floor leader of a party accused of sympathizing with insurrection.” Rep. Kweon of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) made the remarks earlier that day during a party strategy meeting at the Assembly.

“In the past, it was a tacit convention to play YTN or Yonhap News TV, since lawmakers had different broadcast preferences,” Kweon said. “But these days, with more DPK members using the facility, MBC is always on. Even this morning, I changed it to Yonhap News TV.

I can’t understand why they prefer such a biased broadcaster.” Lee’s response directly addressed what he saw as Kweon’s insinuation that MBC was being favored due to DPK influence, calling the comment both trivial and misleading. The squabble over what’s playing on the bathhouse TV may seem trivial, but it quickly spiraled into a broader political spat over media fairness.

Rep. Lee Sang-hwi, head of the PPP’s Media Special Committee, followed up with sharper criticism, citing a recent MBC News Desk broadcast. Referring to anchor Kim Kyung-ho’s opening line, “It must have been shocking, absurd and frustrating to watch a president indicted for leading an insurrection smiling brightly, clenching his fist and waving while walking freely through the streets,” Lee said it was “at a level that makes you question what you’re hearing.

” He accused MBC of routinely airing reports critical of the PPP and the presidential office, while downplaying controversies involving the DPK. “Even President Yoon’s release was treated as if it were some grand opportunity to stir public sentiment,” he said, expressing concern about what he called MBC’s “continued agitation.” People Power Party floor leader Kweon Seong-dong speaks during a party strategy meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday.

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