Yoo Si-min, Accused of 'Han Dong-hoon Defamation,' to Attend First Trial Next Month... "Appearing as Defendant"

Yoo Si-min, Chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The first formal trial hearing for Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, who has been indicted on charges of defaming Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon, will be held next month.

According to the court on the 2nd, Chief Judge Ji Sang-mok of Criminal Division 7 at the Seoul Western District Court concluded the preparatory hearing attended by the prosecution and defense counsel and decided to hold the first trial on the 21st of next month. Chairman Yoo is obligated to appear in court in person as the defendant.

Previously, in December 2019, Chairman Yoo was indicted on charges of defamation by radio for statements made on the YouTube channel 'Alileo' and subsequent media interviews, claiming that the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division had illegally tracked his and the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's accounts from November to December 2019. At that time, Prosecutor Han was serving as the head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division.

The Action Alliance for the Restoration of the Rule of Law reported Chairman Yoo's remarks to the prosecution, alleging defamation against Prosecutor Han and other prosecution officials. In January, Chairman Yoo posted an apology on the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation website, acknowledging that his claims were false.

Subsequently, at the preparatory hearing, Chairman Yoo's side denied the charges, stating, "Contextually, the criticism was directed at the prosecution and other state agencies, not at Prosecutor Han personally." They also pointed out that "since 2021, investigative authority has been adjusted so that the prosecution cannot directly investigate defamation crimes," criticizing the prosecution for directly investigating Chairman Yoo.