[Summary] Citizen on 'Moon Defamation Crime': "Don't Arbitrarily Distort Complex History... Reflect"

CEO Kim Jeong-sik "Hope it becomes an opportunity for reflection" urged
President Moon instructed withdrawal of CEO Kim's lawsuit on the 4th
"Accepts criticism that insulting expressions must be endured"
During presidential campaign: "People have freedom to criticize those in power"
Opposition: "President's capacity is like a soy sauce dish" criticism of 'double standards' arises

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the 2nd Special Quarantine Inspection Meeting held at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 3rd. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Kim Jeongsik (34), CEO of Turning Point, who was sued for defamation after distributing leaflets criticizing President Moon Jae-in, apologized by saying, "From an individual’s perspective, it may have been insulting," while urging, "I hope this serves as an opportunity for reflection on political acts that negatively affect national dignity, the honor of the people, and the country's future."

Earlier, it was reported that President Moon filed a lawsuit against Kim through his legal representative. This sparked criticism from some quarters, calling it 'double standards.' It was seen as contradictory to President Moon’s stance since his presidential campaign, emphasizing "criticism of those in power is the people's freedom." There were also concerns that a president representing the people punishing an individual citizen was inappropriate. Amid growing controversy, President Moon ordered the withdrawal of the lawsuit against Kim.

◆CEO Kim Criticizes President Moon: "Don’t Arbitrarily Judge Complex History"

On the 5th, Kim posted on his Facebook, "Yesterday, I learned through the media about the Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi’s briefing on the president’s 'order to withdraw the defamation lawsuit.'" He began, "I agree that from the president’s personal standpoint, it might have felt hateful, mocking, and deeply insulting."

He continued, "I was angered by the government and ruling party’s behavior that divides the people into corrupt, pro-Japanese, and dictatorial forces versus independence and democratization forces, as if splitting the country in half." He pointed out, "In the Republic of Korea government, labeling normal neighboring countries’ companies as 'far-right' or similar terms damages national dignity and risks diplomatic friction, so I urge refraining from such actions."

He added, "From the people's perspective, what affects the future of the nation, including inter-Korean relations, is not a wordplay-like show for rallying support but the Republic of Korea and each of our citizens becoming more competitive and prosperous than the opposing country." He urged, "Please do not get stuck on words like 'group,' 'nation,' or 'ethnicity,' and I hope the government will handle this more strictly and thoroughly. I hope this becomes an opportunity for reflection on political acts that arbitrarily judge complex modern history for factional interests and harm the country's future."

After Park Kyung-mi, the Blue House spokesperson, revealed President Moon's order to withdraw the lawsuit, Kim Jeong-sik, CEO of Turning Point Korea, wrote a post on his Facebook. / Photo by Facebook

On the 4th, Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi stated at a Chunghwagwan briefing, "President Moon Jae-in has ordered the withdrawal of the intent to prosecute regarding the defamation charge related to leaflet distribution in 2019."

Spokesperson Park said, "The president has tolerated hateful expressions that are hard to put into words about himself and his family out of respect for the people's freedom of expression," but emphasized, "This case was handled considering the harm to the country's future caused by indiscriminately quoting expressions from a Japanese far-right weekly magazine, beyond personal hatred and mockery directed at the president."

She explained the reason behind President Moon’s decision to withdraw the lawsuit, saying, "The president governs the country by the mandate of the sovereign people. He accepted the view that enduring insulting expressions is necessary and thus ordered the withdrawal of the intent to prosecute in this case."

◆President Moon’s Past: "People Have the Freedom to Criticize Those in Power"... Criticism of 'Double Standards'

In July 2019, Kim distributed leaflets near the fountain at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, containing content critical of President Moon. The leaflet’s core claim was that President Moon, the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, and Yoo Si-min, chairman of the People’s Livelihood Foundation, were pro-Japanese collaborators. The back of the leaflet included defamatory phrases such as "Dog of North Korea" and "Moon Jae-in’s bright red identity."

The Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul filed charges against Kim for defamation in December of the same year and conducted an investigation. Although the police did not specify the complainant, multiple media reports indicated that President Moon had filed the complaint through a legal representative. Under current criminal law, defamation is a complaint-based offense, and prosecution can only proceed if the victim files a complaint.

This led some to criticize President Moon for 'double standards.' Previously, President Moon had consistently stated that "insulting the government or the president is also freedom of expression," so the lawsuit against Kim was seen as contradictory to his earlier remarks.

In August last year, during a meeting at the Blue House with religious leaders including church representatives, President Moon said, "We will respond firmly to 'fake news' that hinders COVID-19 prevention," but added, "Criticism or insults toward the government or the president can be allowed as a form of expression. If insulting the president helps relieve frustration, that is also a good thing."

President Moon emphasized in February 2017, when he was a presidential candidate, during an appearance on JTBC's current affairs program 'Ssulzun' that "Criticism of those in power is the people's freedom." / Photo by JTBC

During his presidential campaign in February 2017, President Moon appeared on JTBC’s current affairs program 'Ssulzun' and emphasized, "The people have the freedom to criticize those in power."

At that time, in response to lawyer Jeon Won-chak’s question, "If you become president, can you endure unreasonable criticism and condemnation?" President Moon replied, "Yes, I must endure it. If criticizing those in power allows people to relieve their dissatisfaction and find comfort, isn’t that a good thing?" Lawyer Jeon urged, "Please keep this promise today," to which President Moon responded, "Of course."

The opposition parties strongly criticized President Moon for breaking his past promise and suing a citizen. On the 29th of last month, Jung Won-seok, emergency committee member of the People Power Party, said, "Unfortunately, this incident revealed that the capacity of the president of the Republic of Korea is no more than a soy sauce dish."

Hwang Gyu-hwan, the party’s standing deputy spokesperson, urged, "Immediately stop the oppression of the people, clarify your position on the incident directly, and apologize."

Criticism also came from the Justice Party. Kang Min-jin, leader of the Youth Justice Party, said on the 3rd, "In a dictatorship, insulting the president might be a crime, but in a democracy, the president should not be subject to defamation charges." She emphasized, "The president is someone who must be freely criticized and even condemned by citizens more than anyone else."

She added, "Regardless of the content distributed, a citizen’s lawsuit by the president is inappropriate."