On October 14, the People Power Party of South Korea criticized President Lee Jae-myung for his silence regarding allegations tied to a supposed 'prosecution cancellation deal' while he condemned irresponsible media as 'weapons'. The statement from Park Seong-hoon, the party's chief spokesperson, questioned why the president did not address the allegations, which they argue constitutes a serious issue that could threaten the constitutional order. Park highlighted the gravity of such accusations, suggesting they could warrant impeachment proceedings if proven true.

In the recent context, President Lee reacted to a court ruling confirming a suspended sentence for a fellow party figure, Jang Young-ha, who had propagated the allegations linking Lee to organized crime. In response, President Lee criticized the media for failing to retract their sensationalized coverage of these claims, underscoring the potential harm caused by 'irresponsible' reporting. He expressed his concerns about the media's role in amplifying falsehoods, calling them more dangerous than weapons.

This narrative is further complicated as the opposition Democratic Party of Korea supported Lee's criticism of the media, arguing that political manipulation through false information could severely distort democracy. Notably, Choo Mi-ae, chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, emphasized on social media how the press that once amplified these claims has remained silent in the face of the truth. This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions in South Korean politics regarding media responsibility and the handling of serious allegations against political figures.