[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Former Channel A reporter Lee Dongjae's lawsuit for damages against Choi Kangwook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, claiming "defamation by false facts," has ended in mediation failure.
On the 12th, the Seoul Central District Court held the first mediation hearing for the damages lawsuit filed by former reporter Lee against Choi, but the session ended after about 20 minutes as Choi's side rejected Lee's demands.
At the mediation hearing, former reporter Lee, his legal representatives, and Choi's legal representatives were present. Lee's side had submitted a statement to the court expressing willingness to actively participate in mediation if "Representative Choi deletes the false posts and posts a correction stating that the Facebook posts are factually incorrect."
However, Choi's side reportedly argued that while they could delete the posts identified as false, they could not issue a correction. With the mediation failing, the question of damages will be decided through trial.
Previously, in April last year, Choi was indicted on charges of defamation for spreading false information about former reporter Lee in a social media post titled "Summary of Channel A reporter's statements in letters and transcripts." Subsequently, in January, Lee filed a lawsuit against Choi demanding the posting of corrections and damages for illegal acts.
Lee's side increased the lawsuit claim amount from the original 50 million won to 200 million won on the 26th of last month. Lee's legal representative explained, "More than 10 million people listened to or watched media outlets and YouTube channels that cited the false facts stated by Choi, and these were reproduced on various social media platforms, spreading to millions of people, causing damage that is unbearable for an individual."
Meanwhile, former reporter Lee was acquitted in the first trial on the 16th of last month on charges of attempted intimidation against former representative Lee, demanding whistleblowing on corruption information involving ruling party figures including Yoo Si-min, director of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.
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