The growing presence of YouTube-based media outlets in the presidential press corps is stirring debate over how such outlets are regulated.
Questions have been raised within the press corps regarding the absence of specific disciplinary provisions for YouTube-based outlets, including in cases involving embargoed information on the president’s itinerary. Presidential schedules, particularly overseas visits, are typically subject to embargoes for security and diplomatic reasons.
The issue resurfaced this week after News Factory, a YouTube channel hosted by broadcaster Kim Ou-joon, disclosed details of President Lee Jae Myung’s upcoming overseas trip during a live broadcast on Monday. The information had not yet been officially released.
The disclosure occurred during an informal segment of the program rather than in a formal news report. During the broadcast, Kim mentioned the destination of the president’s planned trip, which was under embargo at the time.
Under existing press pool regulations, traditional media outlets that violate embargoes on the president’s schedule may face sanctions, including suspension from the press pool or revocation of press credentials. Schedules related to bilateral summits are generally announced in coordination with the counterpart country.
No comparable disciplinary measures have been publicly outlined for YouTube-based outlets accredited to cover the presidential office.
Asked Wednesday whether any corrective steps had been taken in response to the latest disclosure, a presidential office official said there was nothing to comment on at the time.
News Factory did not respond to a request from the press corps seeking clarification regarding the circumstances of the broadcast. The channel later removed the relevant segment from its official YouTube account. However, excerpts containing the itinerary details continued to circulate on social media platforms.
Members of the press corps have called for clearer guidelines addressing the characteristics of YouTube-based outlets, including live broadcasting and rapid content redistribution.
According to the presidential office’s current press pool rules, there are no separate disciplinary clauses specific to YouTube-based outlets, although three such outlets were accredited in July.
Controversy grows, expansion continues
The recent case follows a similar incident in January, when News Factory disclosed details of President Lee’s planned Jan. 13–14 visit to Japan while the information was under embargo. During a Jan. 8 broadcast, the channel mentioned the trip. The following day, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung confirmed the visit during another appearance on the same program.
In a separate case, Global News, another YouTube-based outlet accredited to the presidential office, faced criticism after broadcasting a segment involving a reporter from a conservative media organization. The segment concerned a question raised during a Jan. 7 press conference. Following the broadcast, the reporter reported experiencing online harassment. Members of the press corps urged the presidential office to address the situation. The office stated that existing regulations did not provide grounds for disciplinary action.
Amid the ongoing debate, the presidential office on Feb. 2 posted a notice announcing plans to accredit additional “new media” outlets.
“The People’s Sovereignty Government seeks to expand access to Cheong Wa Dae coverage and reporting opportunities for new media in line with the evolving media environment,” the notice said.
Applicants must be affiliated with one of eight recognized press associations and meet at least one experience requirement: two years covering the National Assembly; five years covering at least two central government ministries or equivalent institutions; or two years of experience in new media.
The presidential office said accreditation decisions would be made by a review committee composed of experts but did not provide further details on its composition.
Lee Kyu-youn, senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication, said the administration plans to establish a separate “new media press pool.”
“I do not think ‘media reform’ is the right expression,” Lee said on Feb. 4 during an appearance on OhMyNews’ YouTube channel. “Rather, this should be seen as a process of ‘normalizing the press’ in line with the times.”
Last year, Lee said that the newly admitted outlets were fully accredited and denied claims that they were selected based on their political inclinations.
The presidential aide also said that any recognized news outlet -- conservative or liberal -- that is deemed to serve the public interest and has an appropriate journalistic record could be admitted to the presidential press corps.
dagyumji@heraldcorp.com
![[Exclusive] Ateez to return in November](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/09/02/news-p.v1.20260902.76162fb0ba55493aad1c076f240d0750_R.jpg?type=h&h=120)