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Rep. Choi Min-hee of the Democratic Party (DP) answers reporters' questions after reviewing the findings of the party's investigation into allegations that members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus had joined the party, at the party secretary-general's office in the National Assembly on Nov. 6. /Yonhap News Agency

A KakaoTalk group chat in which Choi Min-hee, a member of the Democratic Party's Supreme Council, sparked controversy by referring to photographers and videographers covering the National Assembly as "a pack of hyenas" has been confirmed to have been shut down. Access to the chat was blocked on the same day Choi publicly apologized for her remarks, though it remains unclear who shut it down.

According to information obtained by AsiaToday on Nov. 11, the chat became inaccessible at around 3:30 p.m. that day. Existing participants also saw a message on their screens reading, "You cannot participate in this team chat."

The chat reportedly had hundreds of participants, including party members from Namyangju, as well as Choi's relatives, close associates, supporters and acquaintances. It was not a public chat that anyone could join, but an invitation-only group.

During a question-and-answer session following a press conference that day, Choi was asked whether her office managed the chat. "That's impossible. It's a group of people who support me, and managing it is impossible," she said. She added, "It's a chat where everyone freely expresses their opinions and engages in very active discussions," adding, "We tend to tell them not to do that."

Asked whether she would not have apologized if the conversation had not been leaked, Choi responded, "What is the intention behind that question?" She added, "There are so many conversations in that chat that even the fact that I wrote that message was considered unimportant."

The controversial remarks were made on Nov. 5. Choi posted photos of photographers and videographers covering a general meeting of DP lawmakers in the group chat, writing, "A pack of hyenas." She added, "Reporters from media outlets covering the National Assembly. They're doing that to somehow get footage that will sow discord."

After the conversation became public, Choi posted a message in the same chat that morning under the heading "Caution," saying, "Some people are sharing messages from this chat with outsiders. Keep that in mind when you post." She later wrote on Facebook, "I acknowledge that my expression was excessive and inappropriate, and I apologize."

The Korea Press Photographer's Association issued a statement that day demanding that Choi retract her remarks and publicly apologize. The association said it would consider legal action over defamation and insult if she failed to comply. Asked whether she was willing to meet with the press photographers, Choi replied, "I have contacted the association's president and will follow the procedures."

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As of 3:27 p.m. on Nov. 11, a message reading "You cannot participate in this team chat" appears in the group chat where Supreme Council member Choi Min-hee had written "a pack of hyenas." /Courtesy of an informant

                                                                                                            Shim Jun-bo