Democratic Party (DP) leader Kim Min-seok has ordered an urgent investigation into a YouTube channel operator accused of manipulating public opinion polls. The probe targets Lee Jong-won, who runs the ‘Sisa Tapa’ channel, concerning allegations that he tampered with a national poll used in the party’s August 17 convention to elect its leader. This move signals a broader effort by the DP to strengthen its official communication channels and address the influence of certain pro-government YouTube channels within the party.
Urgent Investigation into Poll Manipulation Claims
Kim Min-seok announced on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he had instructed the party’s ethics committee to conduct an urgent investigation into Lee Jong-won. The objective is to determine the necessity of immediate disciplinary action. The allegations stem from the national opinion poll that constituted 30% of the vote in the DP’s leadership election. It is alleged that Lee, during his broadcast, encouraged viewers to respond to the poll with fabricated regional or age information, differing from their actual demographics.
The extent to which these alleged manipulations may have impacted the actual poll results remains unconfirmed. However, the issue was publicly raised by Kim Min-seok during a Supreme Council meeting on August 24. At that time, he stated, “We will begin a legal review within the party regarding the recent problematic behavior of some YouTubers, which is suspected of obstructing official duties and violating fair practices, including the manipulation of polls.”
With Lee’s affiliation with the DP now confirmed, Kim’s directive extends beyond an external legal review. It includes an internal party disciplinary process, encompassing investigation and potential sanctions. This dual approach underscores the party’s seriousness in addressing the matter, both from a legal and an internal governance perspective.
Launching Official Party Media Channel
In parallel with the investigation, Kim Min-seok also elaborated on the purpose and positioning of the DP’s new official YouTube channel, ‘MinjooTV,’ set to launch on September 1. He described MinjooTV as the party’s “official media” responsible for disseminating official party and political information, serving as a foundational platform for national administration promotion. He emphasized that the channel would deliver the party’s official stance and messages directly to the public and party members through the official representatives’ faces and voices.
When contrasting MinjooTV with existing pro-government YouTube channels, Kim drew a clear distinction. “MinjooTV is the textbook; other broadcasts are study guides,” he stated. He further explained that the diversity of content, including entertainment and analysis, would continue to be covered by various private media outlets. “There will be no competition, but much cooperation,” he added, suggesting a complementary relationship rather than a rivalry.
The launch of MinjooTV is a project Kim Min-seok announced just four days after his election as party leader. He had previously stated, “All party news should start with MinjooTV.” The channel’s inaugural broadcast is scheduled for 7 AM and will last for one hour. Kim himself is slated to make a regular appearance in the first segment until the broadcast establishes its footing.
Strategic Positioning and Future Role of YouTube Channels
The broadcast time for MinjooTV overlaps with the live broadcast slot of ‘Gyeomson-eun Himdeulda News Factory,’ a popular YouTube program hosted by Kim Eo-jun. This timing is notable, as DP lawmakers have frequently appeared on Kim Eo-jun’s show and other pro-government YouTube channels to explain their positions on current issues and internal party affairs.
The introduction of an official party channel has led to interpretations that the DP is aiming to reduce its reliance on external YouTube platforms. Kim Min-seok, however, has consistently denied any intention to compete with private channels. His emphasis on cooperation suggests a strategy to leverage both official and private media for broader message dissemination.
As Kim Min-seok initiates an investigation into poll manipulation allegations and pushes forward with the establishment of official party media, the role of external channels like YouTube in the party’s political discourse and message delivery strategy is set to be redefined. This marks a significant task for the new leadership as they navigate the evolving media landscape.
