[Comprehensive] "Moon Jae-in, Cho Kuk, Im Jong-seok are Communists" Cho Kuk Sues Gukdae Tteokbokki CEO

Cho Kuk Files Criminal Complaint for Defamation Against Gukdae Tteokbokki CEO
CEO Kim Reiterates, "Taking This Opportunity to Once Again Declare... Cho Kuk Is a Communist"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who is suspected of involvement in his children's admission fraud and covering up an inspection, is entering the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on June 19 to attend a trial, receiving questions from the press. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk filed a lawsuit on the 2nd against Kim Sang-hyun, CEO of Gukdae Tteokbokki, who claimed that "KORLINK PE belongs to former Minister Cho." In response, Kim, the CEO of Gukdae Tteokbokki, made it clear on his SNS that he has no intention of retracting his claims by tagging "#Cho Kuk is a communist." Previously, Kim had asserted that "Cho Kuk received money and support from the Chinese Communist Party through KORLINK."

Former Minister Cho stated on his Facebook on the same day, "On the 1st, I filed a lawsuit against CEO Kim for defamation by false facts and completed the complainant investigation."

He added, "CEO Kim posted a clear false statement on his SNS claiming that 'Cho Kuk received money and support from the Chinese Communist Party through KORLINK.'"

Earlier, around September last year, CEO Kim posted on his Facebook, "I hope the message that Moon Jae-in is a communist and KORLINK belongs to Cho Kuk spreads further."

He also posted, "If this causes problems because it is unverified, sue me. If I have to go to jail, I will gladly go," among other statements.

Photo by Jo Guk, former Minister of Justice, Facebook capture

Former Minister Cho explained the background of the lawsuit by pointing out these claims, saying, "CEO Kim was aware that his posts were unverified facts and mocked the law," and "Such irresponsible behavior by a CEO of a well-known company must bear legal responsibility."

He continued, "On the same day, I also completed complainant investigations against those who posted disgusting false defamatory statements about me, my family, and my late father on their blogs, as well as YouTube operators who posted similar false content to induce clicks and views."

Furthermore, he reiterated, "I expect swift and strict investigations by authorities regarding CEO Kim, as well as Channel A and TV Chosun reporters who falsely reported that I visited a temple in Ulsan during my time as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs to seek support from Mayor Song Cheol-ho."

Photo by Kim Sang-hyun, CEO of Gukdae Tteokbokki, Facebook capture

While former Minister Cho revealed that he filed a lawsuit against CEO Kim of Gukdae Tteokbokki for spreading false information and defamation, Kim repeatedly claimed on his SNS that former Minister Cho, President Moon Jae-in, and former Blue House Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok are communists.

On the afternoon of the same day, Kim posted on his Facebook, "Professor Cho Kuk has filed a criminal lawsuit against me. I take this opportunity to inform you once again: Moon Jae-in, Cho Kuk, and Im Jong-seok are communists."

In another post, he shared a YouTube video titled "Moon Jae-in is a Communist Part 1," reiterating his claim that President Moon, former Minister Cho, and former Chief of Staff Im are communists.

Photo by Kim Sang-hyun, CEO of Gukdae Tteokbokki, Facebook capture

In yet another post, he repeatedly stated, "Cho Kuk is a communist," tagging it with "#Cho Kuk is a communist."

Previously, Kim had posted on Facebook, "I hope the message that KORLINK belongs to Cho Kuk spreads further. I am ready to be ground to powder. Bring it on anytime. Attack me more. I want this to be covered on public broadcast TV. I was anxious when it seemed to quiet down. Please escalate the issue. Cho Kuk received money and support from the Chinese Communist Party through KORLINK," making these claims.

He added, "If this causes problems because it is unverified, sue me. But a thorough investigation must be conducted. If I have to go to jail, I will gladly go. Then this message will spread further, and I will only be grateful for the opportunity to serve the people."

Regarding criticism directed at Gukdae Tteokbokki due to his political claims, he said, "Some are worried that Gukdae Tteokbokki might go bankrupt. If you think about it a little, if we don't all step up now, everything will collapse anyway. This is not just about Gukdae Tteokbokki. Why would I give up? I am taking the safest path."

Photo by Kim Sang-hyun, CEO of Gukdae Tteokbokki, Facebook capture

Meanwhile, former Minister Cho had previously filed a lawsuit against YouTuber Woo, a former Monthly Chosun reporter. Woo raised false allegations that former Minister Cho had a meal with the chief judge of the first trial of former President Park Geun-hye’s corruption case during his time as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House, damaging his reputation.

Woo, who was prosecuted for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. (defamation), was sentenced to eight months in prison and taken into custody at the Seoul Northern District Court Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Ma Seong-young) on the 17th of last month.