Prosecution Indicts Yoo Si-min for Defamation of Han Dong-hoon
Kim Yong-min "Suspects Political Motive of Prosecution"
Choo Mi-ae "Yoo's Suspicion at the Time Was Not Groundless"
Opposition "Nitpicking... Should Restrain Themselves"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Political disputes continue over the indictment of Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, on charges of defamation against Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon. The ruling party criticized the indictment of Chairman Yoo as politically motivated, raising voices against what they called "abuse of prosecutorial power." On the other hand, the opposition party argued that the prosecution was justified, stating that "Yoo Si-min has already admitted his mistake and apologized."
Kim Yong-min, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed on his Facebook on the 5th that "the prosecution of Chairman Yoo is an abuse of prosecutorial power."
He said, "Considering that 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, the prosecution's indictment is highly likely to constitute an abuse of prosecutorial power," adding, "Chairman Yoo mentioned Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon in the context of referring to the prosecution to which Han belongs, not as an ordinary citizen."
He continued, "Above all, Han Dong-hoon is accused of conspiring with a Channel A reporter to portray Chairman Yoo as a criminal. What the prosecution should do is quickly verify the password of the smartphone, which Han Dong-hoon is refusing to disclose, to reveal Han's charges," and pointed out, "However, the prosecution is instead abusing its power against Chairman Yoo, who is the victim."
Supreme Council Member Kim emphasized, "Given that Chairman 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 added, "This is why prosecutorial reform must be achieved as soon as possible."
Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae also raised criticism against the prosecution regarding Chairman Yoo's indictment. She wrote on her Facebook, "Like the proverb 'When the crow flies, the pear falls,' the Supreme Prosecutors' Office swiftly indicted Chairman Yoo right after the new Prosecutor General was appointed yesterday," and said, "At that time, Chairman Yoo's suspicion and fear that the prosecution was surveilling him were not baseless."
She added, "The prosecution has the duty to conduct a thorough investigation into such serious crimes that undermine the organization's trust and to clarify the facts clearly," and insisted, "The forensic examination of Prosecutor Han's smartphone should resolve public suspicions."
Earlier, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Park Hyun-cheol) indicted Chairman Yoo without detention on the charge of defamation by radio on the 3rd.
Chairman Yoo raised suspicions during an MBC radio interview on July 24 last year, stating, "I believe it is highly likely that the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, where Prosecutor Han was stationed from late November to early December last year, looked into the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's account."
In response, the civic group Legalism Restoration Action Solidarity (Beopse-ryeon) reported Chairman Yoo to the prosecution, claiming that his remarks constituted defamation against Prosecutor Han and other prosecution officials.
In this regard, the opposition party argued that the prosecution's indictment of Chairman Yoo was a legitimate law enforcement action. Kim Ye-ryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized in a verbal comment on the same day, "Chairman Yoo admitted his mistake and even apologized, yet they are nitpicking over a clear issue and accusing it of political prosecution."
In particular, Spokesperson Kim pointed out Supreme Council Member Kim, who claimed "abuse of prosecutorial power," saying, "State agencies cannot be subjects of defamation, and since an apology was made, the prosecution's indictment being politically motivated is a sophism," and criticized, "Are you unaware that the blind faith of the pro-Moon (친문) Democratic Party, believing their side is always righteous, good, and immune, is plunging this era into darkness?"
She added, "This defamation case concerns Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon personally, regardless of state agencies, and as it is a matter where the prosecution must fulfill its fundamental duty to realize justice, Supreme Council Member Kim is urged to exercise restraint for the sake of legal order."
Meanwhile, Chairman Yoo admitted in January that the suspicion that the prosecution looked into the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's account was not true. He stated on the foundation's website, "I sincerely apologize to all prosecution officials for causing suspicion that the prosecution might have surveilled me due to unfounded allegations."
However, Prosecutor Han reportedly filed a lawsuit last month against Chairman Yoo seeking 500 million won in damages and submitted a statement to the prosecution requesting Yoo's punishment.
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