Former Reporter Heo Jae-hyun Files Complaint at Seocho Police Station
"Not an Illegal Sex Trade Establishment, an Open Secret"
Lee Jun-seok, Co-Chairman of the People Power Party's Joint Election Countermeasures Committee, is delivering an opening remark at the Central Election Countermeasures Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, filed a complaint on the 19th against former Hankyoreh newspaper reporter Heo Jae-hyun for spreading false information.
The People Power Party Media Legal Team submitted a complaint to the Seocho Police Station in Seoul, naming Lee as the complainant and former reporter Heo as the accused for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc.
According to the legal team, on the 17th, former reporter Heo posted on Facebook that Lee had visited a massage parlor he frequents in the past, claiming that similar sexual acts occur at this massage parlor and asserting that Lee must have engaged in such acts. In response, Lee stated that his reputation has been damaged and that this has caused "considerable harm" to the People Power Party's presidential campaign, expressing his intention to file a complaint.
The People Power Party explained that the establishment in question is a place openly visited by women and celebrities, emphasizing that "it is a well-known fact that it is not an illegal prostitution establishment" and that "it is entirely different from the place reportedly visited by the son of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate." They also raised suspicions that former reporter Heo's post was intended to defend the candidate's son.
Earlier, regarding reports that Lee's autograph was displayed at the massage parlor, Lee actively refuted by posting related photos, stating, "Celebrities like Jessi, Jun Hyun-moo, and Jo Se-ho confidently visit and sign at this place."
Former reporter Heo posted, "Sue me or not. I never said that place was a brothel," and also responded to reporters who quoted his post by saying, "If the establishment suffers damage, that is your fault."
According to Article 70 of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc., a person who publicly reveals false facts through an information and communications network with the intent to defame another person shall be punished by imprisonment for up to seven years, suspension of qualifications for up to ten years, or a fine of up to 50 million won.
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