Beopseoryeon Files Complaint with Supreme Prosecutors' Office Today Against Yoon Seok-yeol X-File's Original Author and Song Young-gil Representative

'Unnamed' Prosecutors, Police, and National Intelligence Service Officials to Be Reported to the Corruption Investigation Office

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Amid growing controversy over the ‘Yoon Seok-yeol X-file,’ which is said to have compiled allegations related to former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, a leading opposition presidential candidate, his family, and acquaintances, a civic group has decided to file a complaint to punish the original creator of the file, drawing attention to whether the investigation will uncover the truth.

Additionally, the group announced plans to also file complaints against Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who first mentioned the existence of the file, as well as unidentified national agency officials involved in collecting the contents recorded in the file, indicating that an investigation into the background of the file’s creation is expected.

On the 23rd, the civic group “Action Alliance for Establishing the Rule of Law” (Beopse-ryeon) stated that it plans to file a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office against the unidentified original creator of the X-file, which contains false information about former Prosecutor General Yoon, on charges of defamation by spreading false information.

Beopse-ryeon also announced that it will file a complaint on the same day against Song Young-gil, who first mentioned the ‘Yoon Seok-yeol X-file’ during the ‘Reform Urging Candlelight Cultural Festival’ held in front of the Democratic Party’s central office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 25th of last month, on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights.

Beopse-ryeon said it will hold a press conference titled ‘Complaint Against the Original Creator of the Yoon Seok-yeol X-file’ at 10 a.m. in front of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, and will submit the complaint documents on-site.

The ‘Yoon Seok-yeol X-file,’ first mentioned by Song last month, became the hottest issue in political circles after Jang Seong-cheol, director of the Gonggam and Debate Policy Center and a political commentator from the opposition, posted on his Facebook on the 19th that “it will be difficult to defend.”

On social networking services (SNS), various versions of the file with unknown sources have been shared, and fake files containing completely absurd and ridiculous content under the title ‘Yoon Seok-yeol X-file’ have also been circulated.

Beopse-ryeon representative Lee Jong-bae said, “Song claimed that he was ‘carefully preparing files related to former Prosecutor General Yoon,’ and Director Jang said he heard that the file he obtained was created by the ruling party side. Considering this, the possibility that the X-file was created under Song’s instructions cannot be excluded,” adding, “If the X-file was created under Song’s instructions, it clearly constitutes abuse of power by compelling the creator to perform an unnecessary task, so we are filing a criminal complaint against Song for abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights.”

He also said, “While verification of presidential candidates is essential, it is not verification but a despicable political operation to destroy the character of the candidate and their family with false information, spreading rumors and black propaganda to confuse voters’ judgment under the guise of verification,” emphasizing, “We must uncover the truth about who created and distributed the X-file and punish them severely, and thoroughly investigate any forces behind it to bring down the hammer.”

Meanwhile, former Prosecutor General Yoon, who had refrained from responding until now, expressed his position through spokesperson Lee Sang-rok in a notice to reporters the day before, saying, “Do not engage in political manipulation with an unverified mysterious document, and if it is true, please disclose the content, evidence, and source.”

He also indicated a willingness to actively respond, stating, “The truth must be revealed, and responsibility for spreading false information and illegal surveillance must be clearly established. There have been reports suggesting involvement by public institutions and the ruling party; if so, this is clearly illegal surveillance.”

Beopse-ryeon also announced plans to file complaints against unidentified national agency officials involved in collecting the contents recorded in the file, in addition to the original creator of the file.

Beopse-ryeon stated, “There are indications that officials from national agencies such as the prosecution, police, and National Intelligence Service were involved in the related documents, and we plan to file complaints with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) against unidentified officials on charges including breach of official secrets, disclosure of investigation facts, and violation of the Personal Information Protection Act.”