[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The first trial of former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae and his junior colleague reporter Baek, who are accused of attempted coercion related to the 'prosecutor-media collusion' suspicion, will conclude next month. It has been about nine months since they were indicted on August 5 last year.
On the 16th, Judge Hong Chang-woo of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 1 announced at the trial of former reporter Lee and reporter Baek, who were indicted for attempted coercion, that the arguments would be closed on June 14. Accordingly, the first trial verdict is expected to be delivered by late June at the latest.
In court that day, the court played recorded files of conversations between former reporter Lee and the so-called 'Whistleblower X,' Mr. Ji, as well as phone call recordings with reporter Baek. Previously, the court had intended to summon Mr. Ji for witness examination, but due to his whereabouts being unknown, the examination was not conducted.
According to the recordings, former reporter Lee told Mr. Ji, "Even if you are released, at the earliest, you will be seventy," and said, "I hope you think only of yourself rather than protecting your political comrades." This statement is interpreted as referring to former Value Invest Korea (VIK) CEO Lee Cheol, who is currently incarcerated. It is reported that Mr. Ji met with former reporter Lee, claiming to be a representative of former CEO Lee.
Former reporter Lee also tried to persuade Mr. Ji by saying, "The CEO must surely have grievances and frustrations, and if there are unfair circumstances, I hope they can be resolved."
In response, the defense argued, "Mr. Ji first asked, 'Is there any collusion with the prosecution?' and only afterward did former reporter Lee say, 'If there are unfair circumstances, I would like to hear them without burden.'"
Previously, former reporter Lee was accused of attempting to coerce former Value Invest Korea (VIK) CEO Lee Cheol, a major shareholder of SillaJen, by sending five letters threatening him to report corruption involving Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, among others. In the letters, he mentioned that former CEO Lee's family could become subjects of investigation and urged him to provide information.
This case was originally called 'prosecutor-media collusion' due to allegations that Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon conspired with former reporter Lee. However, the prosecution did not specify any conspiracy relationship with Prosecutor Han when indicting former reporter Lee.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
