Choi Min-hee apologizes as controversy grows over calling photojournalists “a pack of hyenas”

[Financial News] Choi Min-hee, a DPK Supreme Council member, apologized, saying her wording was “excessive and inappropriate,” after controversy erupted when it became known that she had called photojournalists covering the National Assembly “a pack of hyenas.”
On the 5th, Supreme Council member Choi posted a photo of photo and video journalists covering the National Assembly in a group chat joined by party members from her constituency and others, writing, “A pack of hyenas” and “They’re doing that to get footage that will drive a wedge between people, no matter what.”
After the comments became known, the Korean Photojournalists Association issued a statement on the 11th criticizing Choi, a DPK Supreme Council member, for posting photos of photo and video journalists covering a story in a group KakaoTalk chat with party members from her constituency and disparaging them as “a pack of hyenas.”
The association said, “Dismissing legitimate reporting as political divisiveness and mocking journalists by comparing them to animals is an inappropriate act that clearly insults journalists and could constitute defamation.” It added, “The matter is especially serious because a lawmaker representing the people made these remarks in a group chat with many party members.”
The association demanded that she retract her remarks and issue a public apology, stressing, “We make it clear that if a responsible explanation and a commitment to prevent a recurrence are not forthcoming, we will consider legal action for defamation and insult.”
That same day, Supreme Council member Choi posted a statement on Facebook titled “I Apologize,” saying, “On November 5, I posted a photo in a private chat room with friends and supporters and wrote what I felt about the photo at the time.”
She added, “Today, a little over a week later, the photo and post I uploaded were leaked. I acknowledge that my wording was excessive and inappropriate, and I apologize,” bowing her head.
[email protected] Kim Su-yeon Reporter