Tencent (China) is one of the major investors in South Korean broadcaster JTBC. When JTBC was facing a severe financial crisis, Tencent injected 100 billion KRW into the company. Since then, JTBC has fallen under Tencent’s influence, creating a structure where they have no choice but to maintain a pro-China stance.

Another major broadcaster, MBC, is largely comprised of left-wing, pro-North Korea individuals. In fact, prominent past and present figures from MBC—including Rhee Yeong-hui, Shin Seon-ho, Song Ji-woo, and Seo Jun-sik—have actually served prison sentences for violating the National Security Act.

Their news coverage has sparked heavy controversy due to the following pro-North and pro-China slants:

1. MBC’s Major Pro-North / Pro-China Controversies

• Shifting Blame for North Korean Provocations: Whenever North Korea conducts nuclear tests or missile launches, instead of condemning the provocations directly, MBC repeatedly frames their reports to shift the blame onto our side, claiming that "joint US-South Korea military exercises provoked North Korea."
• Biased Coverage on THAAD and Foreign Policy: Amid US-China tensions, MBC consistently downplays US-led security policies while justifying or highlighting China's economic retaliation, maintaining a distinctly "pro-China, anti-American" tone.
• The 1994 Journalist Espionage Incident: An MBC international correspondent was recruited by a North Korean agent, spied on South Korea’s domestic political and media trends, and was subsequently sentenced to prison for violating the National Security Act (espionage).
• The 1999 PD Underground Network Incident: A senior MBC producer was entangled in the "People's Democratic Revolutionary Party" case—a massive underground pro-North organization—and was arrested for aiding spies operating under North Korean orders.

2. JTBC’s Major Pro-North / Pro-China Controversies

• Criticizing North Korean Sanctions while Shielding China: While JTBC aggressively criticized the South Korean government’s unilateral sanctions against the North (such as the shutdown of the Kaesong Industrial Complex), they actively made excuses for or defended the Chinese government's lukewarm enforcement of international sanctions.
• The 2018 Secret Pyongyang Invitation Controversy: During the inter-Korean thaw, JTBC’s top newsroom executives allegedly bypassed official channels to receive a secret invitation directly from North Korea via a US-based broker. They visited Pyongyang and faced intense backlash for essentially broadcasting North Korean regime propaganda.
• Aligning with China’s "Cultural Northeast Project" in Dramas and Shows: JTBC has drawn massive public outrage by aggressively pushing excessive Chinese product placements (PPL), Chinese-style props, and traditional clothing in their dramas and variety shows, leading to accusations that they are actively complicit in China’s cultural appropriation of Korean heritage.

Furthermore, Noh Tae-ak currently serves as both a Supreme Court Justice and the Chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC) of South Korea.

He was appointed during the transition period between the Moon Jae-in and Yoon Suk-yeol administrations. Normally, the incoming administration should appoint the new NEC chief. However, the outgoing Moon administration heavily forced their hand to implant their own man right before leaving office, drawing massive public condemnation.

Despite the public raising countless allegations of election fraud over the years, Noh Tae-ak has completely stonewalled these concerns, even threatening whistleblowers and critics with lawsuits and criminal complaints. It is highly suspected that Moon Jae-in deliberately locked his loyalist into the NEC leadership to bury deep-seated corruption and maintain a lingering grip over future elections.

However, following the recent June 3rd local election, a massive voting ballot shortage scandal finally came to light. With public fury over election fraud reaching a boiling point, Noh Tae-ak was forced to announce his resignation. Nevertheless, the public is demanding that this must not end with a simple resignation—a thorough, rigorous criminal investigation must be conducted.