Kwak Sang-eon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and the son-in-law of former President Roh Moo-hyun, publicly criticized the recent expansion of influence by a pro-government YouTube channel on the 8th.
He mentioned through Facebook, "I saw the report that only 65 Democratic Party of Korea members have not made any grants on 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' from September last year to August this year," adding, "I am one of those 65."
He also pointed out, "If such a YouTube broadcast is the 'YouTube power,' I have no intention of bowing my head and engaging in politics to those individuals," and noted, "I remember hearing a remark in the past like 'appearing on our broadcast means nothing for nominations.'"
Kwak mentioned the collusion between media and political power, stating, "The situation now is not much different from when Roh Moo-hyun, as a candidate, said in the 2002 Democratic Party of Korea presidential primary, 'Chosunilbo should stay out of the Democratic Party of Korea primary.'"
He also shared the report the previous day that News Factory has become the Democratic Party of Korea's core media platform, criticizing that "YouTube power is wielding political power." He added, "The reality that following a specific person's thoughts is referred to as a democratic decision aligns with my political consciousness."