MBN, involved in a controversy for pushing First Lady Kim Hye-kyung during the coverage of President Lee Jae-myung, has issued a public apology and promised to prevent recurrence.

On the 5th, MBN posted an apology on its official website stating, "We apologize."

Earlier, on the night of the 3rd, when the counting of votes for the 21st presidential election was taking place, the then highly likely elected President Lee Jae-myung greeted citizens who came to show their support while holding First Lady Kim Hye-kyung's hand.

However, during this process, a cameraman was captured on live broadcast pushing First Lady Kim Hye-kyung with his hands to pass by for coverage, causing controversy. In particular, a microphone attached to the camera hit First Lady Kim Hye-kyung's head, and a bodyguard, flustered, belatedly protected First Lady Kim Hye-kyung. She also looked surprised and glanced at the cameraman but soon continued to greet people after fixing her hair.

As the scene spread, internet users speculated that the journalist who pushed First Lady Kim Hye-kyung was a reporter from MBN by identifying the logo attached behind the camera.

As the controversy grew, MBN admitted, "On the night of June 3rd around 11:40 p.m., during the live broadcast of the highly likely elected candidate Lee Jae-myung and his wife greeting citizens, there was a mistake where an MBN video journalist pushed First Lady Kim Hye-kyung."

"MBN has conveyed its apologies to the presidential office, and the presidential office stated, 'While we understand it was a tense situation, please pay particular attention to the coverage process in the future,'" adding, "The MBN video production department will enhance safety training during close-up shots of key figures and also take this opportunity to revise the video coverage guidelines."

Below is MBN's official statement in full.

We apologize.

On the night of June 3rd around 11:40 p.m., during the live broadcast of the highly likely elected candidate Lee Jae-myung and his wife greeting citizens, there was a mistake where an MBN video journalist pushed First Lady Kim Hye-kyung.

MBN has conveyed its apologies to the presidential office, and the presidential office stated, "While we understand it was a tense situation, please pay particular attention to the coverage process in the future."

The MBN video production department will enhance safety training during close-up shots of key figures and also take this opportunity to revise the video coverage guidelines.

- MBN Daily Broadcasting

[Photo] YTN

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