![Hong Ik-pyo, senior secretary for political affairs, adjusted the microphone on Feb. 12 at the Blue House press hall before briefing the media about a luncheon with President Lee Jae-myung and leaders of the Democratic Party and the People Power Party — Jeong Cheong-rae and Jang Dong-hyuk — that had been scheduled and later canceled. 2026.2.12 [Photo=Yonhap News]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/03/CP-2023-0087/image-e319e8b6-1998-45ee-9c81-0d85b8ebafbc.jpeg)
[Inews24 reporter Moon Jang-won] Hong Ik-pyo told reporters on the 13th that the so-called \"prosecution-dropping deal\" is a baseless and highly inappropriate piece of fake news that could erode public trust in the government and its policies, and he said he expects the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Review Board (BMCRB) will likely investigate.
Hong, appearing on KBS 1TV’s program Sasageongeon, said when asked about the allegations, \"I'm so baffled I don't know how to respond,\" and described the claims as absurd.
He said the mood inside the Blue House was one of disbelief. \"We're busy, and we don't have time to respond to every unfounded claim,\" he said. \"It's not worth responding to — it has no merit.\"
On whether the BMCRB would probe the YouTube program that aired the allegation, Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory (which aired the segment under the subtitle 'Humility Is Hard'), Hong said the channel is registered as a media outlet, so he expects an appropriate investigation will follow.
Asked whether the administration had coordinated with the ruling Democratic Party over the prosecution-dropping allegation, Hong said there was nothing special to discuss. \"We said the rumor isn't worth mentioning,\" he said, adding that when the party inquired, he told them to handle it internally.
Hong confirmed that he personally canceled a planned appearance on Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory. He said the cancellation was due to an unavoidable, daylong schedule filled with important meetings.
\"It's not appropriate for the Blue House to refuse appearances on specific broadcasts or to set such a policy,\" Hong added. \"Politicians and lawmakers should make those decisions themselves; it's not something for us to choose or to negotiate with the party.\"
\"The party should handle its own affairs, and the Blue House should handle its own,\" he continued. \"Using these issues to retaliate against a particular broadcaster strikes me as undesirable.\"
Earlier, Jang In-su, a former MBC reporter, appeared on Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory on the 10th and alleged that a senior government official close to the president had negotiated dropping prosecution in exchange for passage of prosecutorial reform legislation, sparking controversy.
On Feb. 12, Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae said the party would use all available means to respond strongly and announced plans to press charges against Jang.
Asked about repeated conflicts between the ruling party and the government over prosecutorial reform, Hong said, \"Now that the Democratic Party is the ruling party, I wish they would handle matters like a governing party.\" He argued that directly attacking the government or holding confrontational press conferences is usually an opposition tactic.
\"As a partner in governance, the ruling party should coordinate internally, improve the quality of its proposals, and focus on what will restore public trust and secure the country's future,\" he said.
Hong added that because the proposal was drafted through a party caucus, any revisions are the party's responsibility. The party must also present a reasonable reform plan to the public. He noted that Representative Jeong said the party would take responsibility and coordinate the plan, and Hong expressed hope that the matter would be resolved soon.
