Handonghun: "I Didn't Lie Because I Didn't Know Yusimin"... "Necessary Measures Will Be Taken for Damage Already Occurred"

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon. / Photo by Jin-hyeong Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] On the 22nd, Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon expressed his position regarding Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, apologizing for the false allegation of 'prosecutorial surveillance of the foundation's accounts' that he had raised, stating, "We will review the necessary measures for the damage that has already occurred."

In particular, Prosecutor Han strongly expressed dissatisfaction, saying that Chairman Yoo did not lie because he was unaware that the 'surveillance allegation' was false, but rather slandered him with the intention of negatively influencing the Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee held on the day of the committee's meeting.

In a statement released that afternoon, Prosecutor Han first emphasized once again, "During my tenure as head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division, I neither tracked nor received reports on accounts related to Chairman Yoo Si-min or the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.

Furthermore, despite my repeated clarifications, Chairman Yoo has continued to spread specific false propaganda against me over the past year," adding, "I have already suffered great damage, and the public who believed Chairman Yoo's lies have also suffered significant harm."

Prosecutor Han said, "On the morning of July 24 last year, the day of the investigation deliberation committee on me, Chairman Yoo appeared on a broadcast and made specific false statements targeting me," adding, "by publicly naming me and specifying the timing on the broadcast, he likely intended to incite the public to think 'Since Yoo Si-min publicly mentioned Han Dong-hoon's name and timing, it must be true,' and to negatively influence my investigation deliberation committee."

He continued, "Chairman Yoo did not lie out of ignorance but used his powerful influence to slander me," expressing strong dissatisfaction.

Prosecutor Han stated, "Chairman Yoo must reveal the basis for making such specific false statements and who provided the false information," adding, "Although it is fortunate that Chairman Yoo apologized belatedly, we will inevitably review the necessary measures for the damage that has already occurred."

Earlier, Chairman Yoo had stated on the YouTube broadcast 'Yoo Si-min's Alileo' in December 2019, "Although I will not disclose how I confirmed it for now, I have confirmed that the prosecution looked into the main bank account of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation."

Subsequently, Chairman Yoo continued to raise suspicions, appearing on a radio broadcast and saying, "When Han Dong-hoon was head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division during the Cho Kuk incident, while I was hosting Alileo, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office monitored it in real time," adding, "It is a lie to say they were not interested. So they thought, 'We can't leave this as is. Let's find something,' and it seems they also looked into the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's accounts..."

Moreover, on July 24 last year, when the prosecution's Channel A case investigation deliberation committee was held, he pointed to Prosecutor Han, who was suspected of being involved in the Channel A case, saying on a radio broadcast, "It was judged highly likely that the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division (at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office), where Han Dong-hoon was, looked into (the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's accounts)."

However, in a statement distributed through the foundation on the same day, Chairman Yoo said, "Everyone has the right to raise suspicions, but when exercising that right, they must bear the burden of proof," adding, "However, I failed to prove the suspicions I raised. I judge that those suspicions were not true."

He continued, "Above all, I sincerely apologize to all prosecution officials for causing suspicion that the prosecution surveilled me due to false allegations," adding, "I do not think an apology alone is sufficient, and I will humbly accept any form of accountability."

Meanwhile, regarding Chairman Yoo's allegations, the Action Alliance for Restoring the Rule of Law filed a complaint with the prosecution in August last year against Chairman Yoo for defamation and disclosure of official secrets. The case is currently under investigation by the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office.