On August 16, JTBC had to broadcast a live apology for spreading false information. Specifically, on August 7, the network aired a video clip from CCTV showing a young man riding an electric scooter through a busy road while discussing a drink-driving incident involving BTS member Suga. However, the police later investigated the route and confirmed that the person on the scooter in the video was not Suga.
As one of South Korea’s leading television channels, JTBC’s release of exclusive news about Suga’s alleged drunk driving without verifying its accuracy is a significant and irreparable mistake.
Recently, major South Korean networks have been repeatedly making serious errors. On August 15, the national broadcaster KBS also aired an opera featuring the Japanese national anthem on the exact date of Liberation Day.
The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) is discussing imposing severe disciplinary measures on these networks.
