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

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. 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) hague@yna.co.kr(END)