[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Son Seok-hee, CEO of JTBC, explained to his company's reporters why he handed over money following threats from Cho Ju-bin, the operator of the 'Baksa Room'.
According to Yonhap News on the 28th, Son reportedly explained to some reporters at the JTBC headquarters in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, the previous day that he believed Cho's claims.
Cho, who was transferred to the prosecution on the 25th, stood at the photo line of the Jongno Police Station in Seoul and apologized while mentioning Son and others. Cho is also accused of threatening Son, former Gwangju Mayor Yoon Jang-hyun, freelance reporter Kim Woong, and others to extort money.
As controversy grew over this, Son issued a statement through the company, but suspicions continued as to why he complied with the demands for money instead of reporting to the investigative authorities.
Son reportedly claimed, "Cho showed evidence that he was acquainted with Kim and threatened by saying things like 'Samsung is behind Kim,' and when I came to think that Samsung was behind them, I was not sure whether I should report it."
In particular, amid a legal dispute with Kim, Son is said to have made remarks along the lines of "I handed over money to try to obtain any evidence to win the trial."
Upon hearing this, Samsung told Yonhap News in a phone call, "If Samsung was really behind it and threats were made, Son would have reported it and made it public. We don't understand why the focus is being shifted elsewhere by mentioning Samsung."
Yonhap reported that a Samsung official said, "Cho, who repeatedly impersonates and lies, can fabricate anything, but Son mentioning Samsung is a different matter," adding, "Our name is being brought up in this unfortunate incident without any factual basis."
Samsung also refuted Son's remarks about a 'Samsung background investigation,' stating, "The Future Strategy Office was officially abolished in 2017."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
