[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The wind seems to be changing direction now. With the court delivering a not guilty verdict for former Chosun A reporter Lee Dong-jae, who was indicted on suspicion of the so-called 'prosecutor-media collusion,' related parties who had suffered disadvantages during the investigation and trial period are showing a will to fight back, drawing attention to the outcome. The off-stage verbal battle has already begun.
Former reporter Lee was acquitted at the first trial sentencing hearing held on the 16th at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 1, presided over by Presiding Judge Hong Chang-woo. Fellow junior reporter Baek Mo, who was also indicted, was likewise found not guilty.
Lee was indicted on charges of attempting but failing to coerce former Value Invest Korea (VIK) CEO Lee Cheol, a major shareholder of SillaJen, by sending five letters and meeting three times with Lee’s proxy, Ji Mo, to make them testify about corruption involving ruling party figures. The prosecution applied the charge of attempted coercion, alleging that Lee threatened Lee Cheol with heavier punishment related to SillaJen charges.
This case also raised suspicions that Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon conspired with Lee, leading to it being called the 'prosecutor-media collusion' case. However, the prosecution did not specify any conspiracy charges involving Prosecutor Han in the indictment.
The court ruled that while Lee’s actions were morally blameworthy, they were difficult to punish legally. It judged that there was no substance to the prosecutor-media collusion claim.
The court stated, "It is difficult to see that Lee’s remarks were specifically connected to the prosecution or that they made the victim perceive that they would actually influence the SillaJen investigation," and thus, the requirement of 'notification of harm' was absent, so the charge of coercion does not stand. It also added, "Since freedom of the press is the last bastion of our society, criminal punishment for journalistic activities should be approached with caution."
This court ruling can also be interpreted, depending on perspective, as meaning that the investigation and indictment in this case were excessively conducted.
In response, Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, who was suspected of conspiring in the threats with former reporter Lee, immediately issued a statement the day before. He named the Ministry of Justice and prosecution leadership involved in demoting him, investigating, and conducting searches and seizures, declaring, "I will take necessary measures."
He said, "I will hold accountable Choo Mi-ae, Choi Kang-wook, Hwang Hee-seok, MBC, the so-called 'Whistleblower X,' Han Sang-hyuk, the Democratic Media Citizens’ Coalition (Minyeonryeon), Yoo Si-min, some KBS officials, Lee Sung-yoon, Lee Jung-hyun, Shin Sung-sik, and some prosecutors," delivering a strong rebuke.
The Democratic Media Citizens’ Coalition also responded the same evening by posting a statement on their homepage. Minyeonryeon said, "Do not mistake the first trial acquittal for exoneration," and added, "Prosecutor Han, who threatens to hold Minyeonryeon, MBC, and others responsible, should cooperate with the prosecution investigation even now and prove his claims with evidence."
Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae also wrote on her social media on the 17th, "The pathetic behavior where the truth cannot prevail due to the prosecution’s perfect obstruction of investigation and trial was predictable from the start," and called for "the Corruption Investigation Office to take up the investigation."
In response, Prosecutor Han issued another statement saying, "I am speechless at the lame self-justification that the prosecution’s unprecedentedly excessive investigation, including abuse of authority, resulted in acquittal because the investigation was half-hearted."
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