JTBC Reporters' Association to Take Legal Action Over Assaults at Vote Counting Center

The JTBC Reporters' Association has vowed legal action following the assault and detention of its journalists at a vote counting center. The incident occurred while reporters were covering ballot shortages and subsequent protests during the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections.

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An unprecedented event occurred where protesters alleging election fraud confined and assaulted JTBC reporters.

In a statement released Tuesday night, the association condemned the "unprecedented event" where protesters, alleging election fraud, "confined and assaulted" JTBC reporters. The association expressed "deep anger and regret" and called for severe punishment of the perpetrators. The ballot shortage issue led to extended voting hours and delayed the transfer of ballot boxes to the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Seoul for counting.

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We express deep anger and regret and urge severe punishment for the perpetrators.

As counting proceeded, protesters claiming "election fraud" surrounded the venue and blocked entrances. During this time, JTBC journalists were reportedly asked to prove they were not election officials and were subsequently assaulted. Protesters allegedly snatched a reporter's mobile phone, threw it, and physically struck the reporter.

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This situation was fully captured on camera by reporters from other media outlets. Based on video evidence of these clear illegal acts, filmed by our colleagues in solidarity, JTBC plans to immediately initiate all legal measures against the perpetrators.

The JTBC Reporters' Association stated that the violence was captured on camera by other journalists, who showed solidarity by filming the acts. The association plans to initiate legal proceedings against the assailants based on this evidence. They are also preparing legal responses to online attacks, including the dissemination of personal information and false rumors about the JTBC crew. The association emphasized that violence against journalists is not just an attack on individuals but a serious threat to press freedom, the public's right to know, and the foundations of democracy.

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Violence against journalists is not merely an attack on individual reporters; it is an infringement upon the freedom of the press and the public's right to know, guaranteed by the Constitution, and a grave threat that undermines the foundation of democracy.