Lee tried to discredit the Times story by bringing up its South Korean author's nationality. Lee said it was "merely an article written by a black-haired wire reporter," but didn't call out the writer by name. In South Korea, the expression "black-haired" is commonly used in nationalistic insults against South Koreans working for foreign companies who are said to be disloyal to the country. "That she is being targeted by members of the South Korean government is also troubling," the AAJA said. Concerning the "black-haired wire reporter" comment, Lee said the expression "has nothing to do with racial prejudice" and it is a "political term" commonly used by South Korean internet users.

Source: ABC News March 19, 2019 07:50 UTC