"Will Sue" Says Jo Seong-eun... Kim Jae-won Responds, "Do It Properly and Prepare for False Accusation Charges"

Cho Seong-eun, who raised allegations of 'prosecution referral' against Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential pre-candidate, expressed her intention to take legal action against Kim Jae-won, the party's Supreme Council member, claiming defamation of her reputation. Kim, the Supreme Council member, retaliated by suggesting false accusation charges. Photo by Kim Jae-won

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] Jo Seong-eun, who reported allegations of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol’s involvement in instigating a complaint, has announced legal action over defamation, among other charges, while Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, has rebutted her claims.

Today (19th), Kim posted on his Facebook, "Jo says she will sue me," attaching an article reporting her announcement of legal action. He added, "If you’re going to do it, do it properly," and "Of course, be prepared for false accusation charges."

Earlier, on the 18th, Jo stated on her Facebook, "Only now am I calmly reviewing the reports so far, and there are clearly many falsehoods and many contents without any confirmation from the parties involved," adding, "Defamation through false information using media broadcasts is a very serious crime."

Jo also declared, "I will proceed with strong legal measures regarding falsehoods and defamation against Supreme Council member Kim using the media," and warned, "Since People Power Party lawmakers have been spewing false information, defamation, and insults, I will begin the process of correcting the articles based on these."

Through broadcast interviews and other statements, Supreme Council member Kim expressed suspicion of collusion between Jo and Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, saying, "Did Jo and Director Park have an arm-wrestling match and play around?" and "People unconsciously try to hide things, but the truth comes out," as well as, "Jo said it wasn’t the date that our director or I wanted."

Additionally, on the 13th, Kim indirectly targeted Jo on his Facebook, saying, "Someone who is behind on taxes and can’t pay employee salaries owns a museum-grade apartment and a Maserati car; something about this feels very suspicious."