[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Channel A reporter Dongjae Lee will appear as a victim and witness at the trial of Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, on the 23rd.
Judge Kim Tae-gyun of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 16 will hold a continuation trial of Choi, who is indicted for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, in the afternoon and conduct witness examination of former reporter Lee. Earlier, the prosecution announced that the direct examination would take about 30 minutes, and the defense cross-examination would take about 3 to 4 hours.
Choi was indicted last year in April for defamation by spreading false information about former reporter Lee in a post titled "Summary of Channel A reporter's statements in letters and transcripts" on social media (SNS). The post included content stating, "Former reporter Lee told former Value Invest Korea (VIK) CEO Lee Cheol, 'Close your eyes and say you gave money to Yoo Si-min,' and 'We will search Yoo Si-min's house and family, and also the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation chaired by Yoo Si-min.'"
Former reporter Lee was indicted for attempting to threaten former CEO Lee by demanding information on corruption involving Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, and other ruling party figures, but was acquitted in the first trial on the 16th. After the acquittal, Lee submitted a petition for severe punishment against Choi to the Criminal Division 16. In January, he also filed a lawsuit in court seeking 50 million won in damages from Choi.
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