Kim Rahn is the managing editor of The Korea Times. Since joining the company in 2003, she has covered various beats including the presidential office, Seoul city government, the Bank of Korea and the tourism industry. In 2014, she won the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) award for her coverage of the ordeals of migrant women in Korea.
JTBC chief questioned over alleged violence against freelance journalist
JTBC head and news presenter Sohn Suk-hee answers reporters' questions at Mapo Police Station in western Seoul, early Sunday morning, after undergoing 19 hours of questioning over his alleged assault of a freelance journalist. / Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon
By Kim Rahn
By Kim Rahn
Sohn Suk-hee, the head of cable channel JTBC and news presenter, was questioned, Saturday, over his alleged assault of a freelance journalist.
He was accused of punching the journalist, surnamed Kim, several times during a dinner meeting in Seoul on Jan. 10.
The interrogation continued for about 19 hours and Sohn returned home around 3 a.m. on Sunday. After the questioning, he told reporters, “The truth will be revealed.”
Kim claimed he was preparing to report on a car accident caused by Sohn several years ago, and the JTBC chief offered him a job at the broadcaster in return for not reporting it. He said he rejected the offer and then Sohn attacked him.
Sohn denied the accusation, claiming Kim demanded a JTBC job by threatening him with the car accident issue. Kim got angry as he rejected the demand, and they had an argument which involved some physical contact, according to Sohn.
Kim again claimed Sohn offered him a contract job with JTBC guaranteeing 10 million won ($8,800) in monthly income for two years, to cover up the assault.
They sued each other for extortion, threat and defamation.