Seoul City to sue MBC over reports on construction errors, citing bias

Seoul City has announced its intention to file lawsuits against the broadcaster MBC, seeking both a correction of reports and damages. This action follows MBC's extensive coverage of the rebar omission incident at the GTX-A Samsung Station construction site. Seoul City has officially designated MBC's reporting as "biased and distorted," leading to its exclusion from the city's internal media clipping service.

“

We plan to file a lawsuit for correction of information and damages against MBC, its head of reporting, and the reporter in charge, for reports that distorted and exaggerated facts regarding the construction errors in the Yeongdongdaero complex development project, causing significant misunderstanding and confusion among citizens.

According to Seoul City, MBC reported on the construction errors in the Yeongdongdaero complex development project 76 times between May 15 and June 3. The city claims these reports went beyond simple criticism, repeatedly suggesting that Seoul City intentionally concealed and ignored the construction errors, thereby significantly damaging public trust in the city government.

The Seoul Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation acknowledged responsibility as the contracting authority for the construction errors. They stated that upon notification from the construction company, they immediately conducted safety inspections, finalized reinforcement plans, and shared these actions with higher authorities. The city emphasized its commitment to holding media outlets accountable for reporting that intentionally distorts city affairs.

“

Seoul City has significantly undermined trust in its administration by repeatedly reporting that the city intentionally concealed and ignored the construction error issue, going beyond simple criticism of the city's administration.

Previously, Seoul City had added a notice to its media clipping service cover page stating, "Biased and distorted reporting media are excluded from clipping. Excluded media: MBC." The Korean Broadcasting and Telecasting Workers Union's MBC chapter responded strongly, demanding that Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon immediately retract what they termed a "revengeful media exclusion." The union argued that the mayor's focus should be on thoroughly investigating the shoddy construction and implementing follow-up measures, rather than threatening critical media.

“

The current mayor's task is not to threaten critical media with unreasonable threats, but to thoroughly investigate the shoddy construction that citizens are concerned about and prepare follow-up measures. Immediately withdraw the retaliatory media exclusion measure.