Choi Won-sik, the chairman of the 국민의힘 (People Power Party) for the Gyeyang-gap district, was sentenced to a fine of 1 million won by the Incheon District Court for assaulting a reporter. The incident occurred on January 22 of last year, during a meal at a restaurant in Incheon, where Choi reportedly struck the reporter on the back of the head. Although the prosecution recommended the same fine in a simplified filing, Choi contested this, opting for a formal trial. During the trial, the prosecution reiterated its request for a 1 million won fine.

In his defense, Choi claimed that the assault arose out of a misunderstanding during a drinking session, where he made a joking remark about the phrase "이부망천" (which implies the downfall of Incheon after divorce) to the reporter. He contended that the reporter had indicated a desire to write an article on this remark while allegedly pushing him to support a specific candidate for the upcoming local elections. However, the reporter described the questioning about the candidate as merely being factual, raising concerns about the inappropriate use of the term by a politician.

Following the verdict, both the national and local journalists' unions have called for Choi's public apology and resignation over the incident, highlighting a tension between politicians and media in South Korea and raising concerns about the state of press freedom and the treatment of journalists within political circles.