Hankyoreh Newspaper Expresses Regret Over Former Writer's Blue House Appointment

The Hankyoreh newspaper has expressed profound regret over the appointment of Kim Hoe-seung, a former editorial writer, as the new director of the Chunchugwan press office at the Blue House. Kim submitted his resignation on August 13, and the company promptly accepted it.

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We express our deep regret over the appointment of former editorial writer Kim Hoe-seung as the new director of the Chunchugwan press office.

Hankyoreh has consistently maintained a critical stance on current journalists accepting positions in government or politics. The newspaper believes such moves compromise the media's essential role in monitoring power and erode the trust of its readers. The immediate transition from a current editorial position to the Blue House director role, without any period of reflection, is seen as a particularly significant breach of these principles.

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We have consistently maintained a critical stance on current journalists moving directly into government or political positions.

While acknowledging that individual journalists have the freedom to choose their careers, Hankyoreh emphasized that Kim's actions directly contradict the principles the newspaper has long advocated. The company stated it will use this incident as a catalyst to re-evaluate and strengthen its internal ethical code.

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The immediate transition from a current editorial role to the Blue House director position, without any period of reflection, is a clear violation of our principles.