Journalist

LEE KEONHEE
  • JTBC faces backlash after historic Korean Olympic snow-sport gold airs on cable channel
    JTBC faces backlash after historic Korean Olympic snow-sport gold airs on cable channel South Korea won its first Olympic gold medal in a snow event, but many viewers in the country could not watch the decisive run because JTBC aired it on a cable sports channel rather than its main network.  Choi Ga-on won the women’s halfpipe at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park, scoring 90.25 on her third run to take gold. The result drew added attention because she beat Chloe Kim, her idol, who scored 88.00 while seeking a third straight Olympic gold.  The gold-medal moment was shown on JTBC Golf & Sports, not JTBC’s main channel. JTBC carried Choi’s first final run live, then switched to short track speedskating airing at the same time.  Choi had crashed hard on her first run, catching the lip of the slope on her landing after the second jump, raising fears of a serious injury and making her medal chances appear slim. Short track is one of South Korea’s strongest Olympic sports, and that day Lim Jong-eon won bronze in the men’s 1,000 meters. It was also the day Choi Min-jeong, described as a “queen,” competed in the women’s 500 meters. With JTBC having paid heavily for broadcast rights, the network appeared to prioritize events with expected medal chances.  Online, viewers voiced disappointment that the main broadcast carried only a “breaking news” caption about Choi’s gold. Many who stayed with the main channel focused on short track and were left wondering how Choi recovered from her first-run fall to win.  Some critics called it a downside of exclusive broadcast deals. JTBC holds exclusive rights to the 2026-2032 Summer and Winter Olympics and the 2026-2030 World Cup. Viewers without paid cable TV or internet TV subscriptions may have limited access to events.  The debate is expected to continue, with arguments over viewers’ access versus the winner-take-all nature of major rights deals. Critics say exclusive broadcasts have reduced public interest in mega sports events, while supporters say exclusivity is the point of paying for the rights.  The government is also weighing a response. Kim Jong-cheol, chair of the Korea Communications Commission, told a National Assembly briefing on Feb. 10 that under current law there is very limited legal basis to force negotiations over broadcast rights between networks, and that the government is preparing legal revisions to address the issue. Attention is now on what measures may follow and how JTBC will respond.  2026-02-13 13:48:00
  • South Korea’s Choi Ga-on wins Olympic women’s halfpipe gold, first for Korean snowboarding
    South Korea’s Choi Ga-on wins Olympic women’s halfpipe gold, first for Korean snowboarding High school snowboarder Choi Ga-on won South Korea’s first Olympic gold medal in snowboarding, drawing surprised reactions online. She did it after apparent injury in the women’s halfpipe final.  Choi scored 90.25 points on her third run in the women’s halfpipe final at Livigno Snow Park in Italy on Feb. 13 (Korea time) to take gold. She finished ahead of Chloe Kim, who scored 88.00 and was seeking a third straight Olympic title.  Choi crashed hard after her second jump on the first run when she caught an edge on the lip, then made a mistake on the first jump of her second run. She returned for the third run and delivered a clean performance to secure the title. Afterward, she was seen limping.  “My first Olympic medal being a gold medal makes me very happy,” Choi said. “I can’t believe it. It’s also an honor to be the first gold medal for the Korean team.”  Online commenters called it “a movie-worthy story,” with some saying it was too dramatic to be believable and others quoting a popular phrase: “What matters is an unbreakable heart.”  South Korea’s snowboard team has won three medals at the Games so far: Kim Sang-gyeom’s silver in the men’s parallel giant slalom, Yoo Seung-eun’s bronze in women’s big air and Choi’s gold in women’s halfpipe.  2026-02-13 09:54:40
  • North Korea urges South Korea to prevent recurrence of drone incursions
    North Korea urges South Korea to prevent recurrence of drone incursions SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - North Korea on Friday urged South Korea to take measures to prevent a "recurrence" of what Pyongyang says was a drone incursion into its airspace. "I give advance warning that reoccurrence of such provocation as violating the inalienable sovereignty of the will surely provoke a terrible response," said Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the reclusive country's leader Kim Jong-un, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Her remarks came just a day after South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young expressed regret over drones allegedly sent by civilians to the North, without specifying which incidents he was referring to. KCNA quoted her as saying it was "fortunate" that the South had expressed regret, calling it "sensible behavior." She added, "We don't care who the very manipulator of the drone infiltration into the airspace of the DPRK is and whether it is an individual or a civilian organization." Earlier in January, the North said it shot down a South Korean surveillance drone near the industrial town of Kaesong, dealing a blow to Seoul's efforts to mend relations with Pyongyang. 2026-02-13 09:11:45
  • South Korea’s first snowboard Olympian Kim Ho Jun congratulates Choi Ga On on historic gold
    South Korea’s first snowboard Olympian Kim Ho Jun congratulates Choi Ga On on historic gold South Korea’s first Olympic snowboarder, JTBC commentator Kim Ho Jun, congratulated Choi Ga On after she won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in snowboarding.  Kim posted a video on social media on Thursday, writing, “Ga On, congratulations from the bottom of my heart, and thank you.” He added, “Snowboarding is the trend. When I first competed in the Olympics, most people didn’t even know what a halfpipe was,” and said some people even mistook snowboarding for skiing. Kim, a former national team halfpipe rider, competed at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics as the only South Korean athlete in the event.  He wrote that hearing “snowboarding is the trend” feels especially exciting because he rode “in that era” and poured everything into the sport. “Today, the history of South Korean snowboarding has been rewritten,” he said, adding that he had watched for a long time how hard Choi worked to win halfpipe gold.  Kim ended his post by thanking Choi and JTBC, writing, “South Korean snowboarding! May it last forever. The trend is? Snowboarding.” Choi won gold in the women’s halfpipe final at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park in Italy, scoring 90.25 on her third run to beat Chloe Kim, who scored 88.00 and was seeking a third straight Olympic gold. It was South Korea’s first gold medal in a snow event.  South Korean snowboarders have won three medals at these Olympics: Kim Sang Gyeom’s silver in men’s parallel giant slalom, Yoo Seung Eun’s bronze in women’s big air and Choi’s gold.  2026-02-13 09:03:00
  • Actor Jung Eun Woo Laid to Rest; Burial at Byeokje Crematorium
    Actor Jung Eun Woo Laid to Rest; Burial at Byeokje Crematorium Actor Jung Eun Woo, whose real name was Jung Dong Jin, will be laid to rest Friday. A funeral procession is scheduled for noon, with burial at Byeokje Crematorium. Jung died suddenly on Tuesday. He was 39. Mourners left tributes on his social media accounts. Some said they were shocked because he had posted as recently as the day before his death. Jung studied theater and film at Dongguk University and debuted in 2006 on KBS2's "Sharp 3." He later appeared in SBS dramas including "Bride of the Sun," "Five Fingers," "One Well-Raised Daughter," and "Return of Hwang Geum Bok," as well as KBS2's "My Only One." ※If you are struggling with depression or thoughts of self-harm, or if a family member or friend is in crisis, you can reach suicide-prevention counseling at 109 or get 24-hour expert help through the Madlen SNS counseling service.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 07:57:25
  • Singer-Actor Lee Seung-gi to Become Father of Two as Wife Lee Da-in Is 5 Months Pregnant
    Singer-Actor Lee Seung-gi to Become Father of Two as Wife Lee Da-in Is 5 Months Pregnant Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi is set to become a father of two. Big Planet Made Entertainment said on Feb. 12 that Lee’s wife, actor Lee Da-in, is five months pregnant. The agency said the couple are prioritizing her health and stability. Lee and Lee married in April 2023 and welcomed their first child, a daughter, in February 2024. Lee is currently appearing on the ENA variety show “Change Street.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 07:09:00
  • Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan denies report alleging misuse of luxury cars
    Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan denies report alleging misuse of luxury cars Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan is facing allegations in South Korea over what has been described as a “supercar” dispute with a chauffeur-service company. Hwang’s side immediately denied the claims, but the controversy has continued to spread. Dispatch reported on Wednesday that Hwang’s side received 22 vehicles — including Lamborghinis and Ferraris — from a protocol-service company called Bahana (UCK), and allegedly made unreasonable demands during the arrangement. The report said Hwang left an approximately 800 million won Ferrari Purosangue in the middle of Yeongdong Bridge in May last year and walked away, and that he did not take responsibility despite more than 10 accidents. The report also said Hwang’s sister, Hwang Hee Jung — CEO of his agency, BtheHC — also received vehicles and services from Bahana. Bahana said it provided the services because it had been promised a management role, and argued the current legal dispute would not have happened if Hwang had fulfilled the obligations of the “principal” listed in the contract. As an example, Bahana cited a promotional clause, saying Hwang did not tag the company on the relevant social media channel and only added a thumbs-up at Bahana’s request. BtheHC rejected the report as false. The agency said it provided the outlet with materials to rebut the claims, but that “one-sided” coverage was published. It said it never entrusted Bahana with overall management, and accused the company of opening a social media account and using photos of Hwang using vehicles without permission for promotion, including cases of using his likeness without consent. BtheHC said it would take legal action over alleged fraud and deception, defamation by spreading false information, and violations of portrait and name rights. With both sides sharply divided and each signaling legal complaints, the dispute is expected to continue. The controversy comes as Hwang is also dealing with injury issues. He was substituted against Chelsea on Saturday with calf pain. Wolverhampton coach Rob Edwards said Tuesday, “With a calf injury, it will take a few weeks” for him to return, adding it would “probably” be weeks. Hwang previously injured his calf during national team duty in October last year and missed time. Calf injuries are widely seen as prone to recurrence, and Hwang has now reached age 30, prompting concerns about durability. Wolverhampton’s results have also been poor. The club drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday in the English Premier League’s 26th round, extending its winless run to six matches. Wolverhampton have just nine points (one win, six draws, 19 losses) and sit last in the league. Burnley, in 19th, have 18 points (four wins, six draws, 16 losses). With injuries, the team’s struggles and the latest allegations, Hwang faces mounting pressure. The truth of the claims will be decided in court, but the dispute could still affect his performances as he tries to return and reestablish himself. 2026-02-12 16:48:00
  • Hwang Hee-chan Denies Report Alleging ‘Supercar’ Abuse of Service Provider
    Hwang Hee-chan Denies Report Alleging ‘Supercar’ Abuse of Service Provider Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan has denied allegations that he mistreated a protocol-service company while using luxury cars.  Dispatch reported on Feb. 12 that Hwang’s side received 22 protocol vehicles — including Lamborghinis and Ferraris — from a service provider identified as “Bahana (UCK)” and engaged in unreasonable behavior. The report said Hwang left the scene after abandoning a Ferrari Purosangue worth about 800 million won on Yeongdong Bridge in May last year, and that he did not take responsibility for more than 10 accidents.  The report also said Hwang’s sister, Hwang Hee Jung, received vehicles and services from Bahana, and that the company provided the services because it had been promised it would be given management duties.  Bahana said, “If the obligations of the ‘A party’ stated in the contract had been properly fulfilled, there would not be the current legal dispute.” As an example, it cited a promotional obligation in Article 5, Clause 4, saying Hwang did not tag Bahana on the relevant social media channels and only posted a “thumbs-up” at the company’s request. Hwang’s agency, BtheHC, said, “All of the reported content is false.” It added, “We provided the outlet with ample materials to rebut the claims, but it proceeded with one-sided reporting.”  The agency said it never entrusted Bahana with overall management. It also said the company created social media accounts and promoted itself using photos of Hwang using the vehicles without authorization, including cases in which his likeness was used without consent.  BtheHC said Bahana was the first to break trust and said it would take legal action over alleged fraud and deception, defamation through false statements, and violations of portrait and name rights.  2026-02-12 14:40:10
  • Court set to rule on former interior minister over alleged martial law involvement
    Court set to rule on former interior minister over alleged martial law involvement SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min is set to be sentenced on Thursday for his alleged role in disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle. The Seoul Central District Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict at 2 p.m., in a trial broadcast nationwide. Lee is accused of aiding Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024 by instructing police and fire agencies to cut off power and water to media outlets on Yoon's orders. He is also charged with perjury for denying his involvement in the botched debacle, during Yoon's impeachment trial in February last year. In his final hearing last month, Lee remained adamant, persistently denying all allegations. But prosecutors sought 15 years in prison, saying Lee, who oversaw national security and disaster management, failed to stop Yoon despite being fully aware that Yoon's late-night bid was illegal and unconstitutional. Thursday's ruling will be the second in cases related to the debacle, after former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison, heavier than the 15 years prosecutors sought, as the court found that the short-lived, late-night fiasco constituted an insurrection. Much attention is now focused on the implications of these two rulings for Yoon's own trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, with his verdict set for next Thursday. 2026-02-12 09:41:33
  • Wolves held 0-0 at Nottingham Forest as Hwang Hee-chan sits out, winless streak hits six
    Wolves held 0-0 at Nottingham Forest as Hwang Hee-chan sits out, winless streak hits six Wolverhampton Wanderers, without key forward Hwang Hee-chan, drew 0-0 at Nottingham Forest. Wolves and Nottingham played to a scoreless draw in a 2025-2026 English Premier League Round 26 match at the City Ground in Nottingham, England, on Wednesday. The result extended Wolves’ winless run to six league matches. Wolves added one point but stayed bottom of the table with nine points. Hwang was left out of the matchday squad after he was substituted with calf pain in a loss to Chelsea on Feb. 8. Nottingham controlled the game, outshooting Wolves 35-7. But Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa made several standout saves to preserve the draw. Nottingham, despite dominating, collected only one point and remained on 27 points, failing to build momentum to move clear of the relegation zone. 2026-02-12 08:39:00