Ruling party lawmaker accused of defamation for calling journalists 'pack of hyenas'

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2026-11-12 11:00:36

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Rep. Choi Min-hee of the ruling Democratic Party enters a briefing room at the National Assembly compound in Seoul on Nov. 11, 2026, to apologize for having referred to journalists as "a pack of hyenas." (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- A police complaint was filed Thursday accusing ruling party Rep. Choi Min-hee of defamation for referring to journalists as "a pack of hyenas."

The complaint against Choi of the Democratic Party was filed with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency a week after the lawmaker made the comment in a KakaoTalk group chat while referring to an image of photo and video journalists covering a general meeting of DP lawmakers.

She also described the journalists as "doing everything to take videos that sow discord."

The complainant, Lee Jong-bae, a former Seoul city councilmember affiliated with the main opposition People Power Party, said Choi's comments revealed her perception of the press and exposed a double standard that chants democracy but scorns journalists that cause discomfort.

Choi held a press conference at the National Assembly on Wednesday and apologized for her remarks.

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