Lee Nak-yeon’s side threatens legal action over Choi Seong-hae’s claim that "Lee Nak-yeon attacked Cho Kuk"

Former leader of the Democratic Party Lee Nak-yeon is delivering the keynote speech at the "Great Transformation of the International Order: Asking the Path of Korean Diplomacy" hosted by Gwanghwamun Leaders Forum and Solidarity and Symbiosis at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 22nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] The camp of former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon announced that they will take legal action against former Dongyang University President Choi Sung-hae, who claimed that "Lee Nak-yeon attacked former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk," and the YouTube channel that released the related recording.

On the 22nd, the YouTube channel 'Yeollin Gonggam TV' released a recorded phone conversation between former President Choi Sung-hae and an acquaintance, Mr. A, containing such claims.

In the recording, when Mr. A asked former President Choi, "What if Lee Nak-yeon or Lee Jae-myung become (president) next time?" Choi replied, "Lee Nak-yeon is the person who attacked Cho Kuk. Lee Nak-yeon contacted me to thank me for attacking Cho Kuk."

In response, on the 23rd, Oh Young-hoon, a Democratic Party lawmaker and spokesperson for former leader Lee Nak-yeon's campaign, stated in a commentary, "This is nothing but a malicious act aimed at destroying Lee Nak-yeon's character and honor," and announced plans for legal action.

Lawmaker Oh warned, "We will take civil and criminal measures against Yeollin Gonggam TV and former President Choi Sung-hae, and will hold them legally responsible by all means for indiscriminately distributing and spreading the video."

On the 23rd, the former leader of the Democratic Party, Lee Nak-yeon, announced plans for legal action against former President Choi Sung-hae and Open Sympathy TV. Photo by Lee, former leader's Facebook capture.

Meanwhile, former President Choi Sung-hae, at the center of the controversy, explained in a phone call with 'Peace Tree' on the 23rd, "The problematic content is a story I heard from an aide of former leader Lee Nak-yeon, not from Lee Nak-yeon himself," and added, "I have never met Lee Nak-yeon." 'Peace Tree' is a media outlet published by Kim Yong-min, director of Peace Tree and former member of the pro-government podcast 'I Am a Trickster.'

When asked by Peace Tree why he spoke to acquaintance Mr. A as if it were a statement from former leader Lee Nak-yeon, Choi replied, "Mr. A was so attached to that side (Cho Kuk) that I said it to mean he should come out from there."