On October 20, SBS’s investigative program 'I Want to Know That' publicly apologized after President Yoon Seok-yeol urged for accountability concerning the allegations linking him to organized crime. The program, which aired on July 21, 2018, had previously raised suspicions about Yoon’s connections to violent organizations, specifically mentioning that he was included in the list of attorneys for two members of the 'Seongnam International Mafia.' SBS, in its follow-up news, supported the apology by highlighting that the allegations were made without definitive evidence.

The production team of 'I Want to Know That' referenced the legal outcomes that dispelled the allegations. Following the show in 2018, the police initiated an investigation but eventually sent the case to the prosecution with a recommendation for non-prosecution. The Seongnam District Prosecutor's Office upheld a non-indictment in December 2018. Furthermore, a legal case from a lawyer who claimed that Yoon received money from the mafia was concluded in 2021, producing a conviction for false reporting.

SBS reassured its commitment to uphold its journalism ethics in future programming by adhering to guidelines outlined in its newly established journalism standards. This apology underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing responsible reporting with political accountability, especially in the context of South Korean politics where allegations and media portrayals can have contentious implications.