[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] On the 3rd, it was revealed that Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, was indicted on charges of defamation against Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon (Research Committee member at the Judicial Research and Training Institute), sparking ongoing disputes between the ruling and opposition parties. Kim Yong-min, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the prosecution's indictment of Chairman Yoo as an "abuse of prosecutorial power," while the People Power Party retorted, "Is justice only for your own side?"
Kim Yong-min, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea (left), and Kim Ye-ryeong, Spokesperson of the People Power Party (right). [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 5th, Supreme Council member Kim posted on his Facebook, stating, "The prosecution's indictment of Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, on charges of defamation against Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon is an abuse of prosecutorial power." He added, "Given that Yoo's potential presidential candidacy is being discussed at this time, the fact that such an indictment has been made raises suspicions of political intent by the prosecution," and emphasized, "Prosecutorial reform must be achieved as soon as possible."
He referred to Chairman Yoo's previous claims based on the fact that the 'notification exemption for transaction information provision' was in effect under the Real Name Financial Transactions Act, asserting that "the prosecution looked into the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's accounts" and that "it is highly likely that Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon saw this while working in the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division."
Kim stated, "The prosecution indicted Yoo on the grounds that he committed defamation against Prosecutor Han based on the above statements," but argued, "The government and state agencies should always be subject to public scrutiny and criticism in the course of their duties and cannot be victims of defamation. In this regard, the prosecution's indictment is likely an abuse of prosecutorial power." He further added, "'Notification exemption for transaction information provision' is sufficient reason to suspect account inspection by investigative agencies."
In response, Kim Ye-ryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized, "Chairman Yoo admitted his wrongdoing and even apologized, yet they are nitpicking a clear matter and turning it into a political indictment."
In a verbal statement that day, Spokesperson Kim said, "Supreme Council member Kim is spouting sophistry that state agencies cannot be defamed and that since an apology was made, the prosecution's indictment is politically motivated. Are you unaware that the blind faith in the pro-Moon Democratic Party's double standards?where their own side is always righteous, good, and granted immunity?is plunging this era into darkness?"
She continued, "This defamation case concerns an individual prosecutor regardless of whether they belong to a state agency, and it is a matter that must be handled according to law and principles to fulfill the prosecution's fundamental duty of justice." She advised, "For the sake of legal order, Supreme Council member Kim should exercise restraint."
Meanwhile, according to the prosecution on the 3rd, Chairman Yoo was indicted without detention on charges of defaming Prosecutor Han, a close associate of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl.
Since 2019, Chairman Yoo repeatedly claimed in media interviews and YouTube broadcasts that "the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division illegally tracked his and the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's accounts in late November or early December 2019." At that time, Prosecutor Han served as head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division.
On July 24 last year, appearing on MBC Radio's 'Focus,' Chairman Yoo said, "It is possible that the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division, where Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon was, looked into the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's accounts." He raised suspicions, saying, "The Supreme Prosecutors' Office only responds that they cannot confirm whether the accounts were checked. The main bank has not disclosed anything even six months after the suspected inquiry, which suggests the prosecution filed a notification exemption request."
In response, the Action Alliance for the Restoration of the Rule of Law filed a complaint with the prosecution, claiming that Chairman Yoo's statements defamed Prosecutor Han and other prosecution officials. Relatedly, on January 22, Chairman Yoo posted an apology on the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's website, admitting that his claims were false. At that time, he stated, "I sincerely apologize to all prosecution officials for raising suspicions that the prosecution surveilled me based on unfounded allegations."
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