[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] Shin Seongsik, a research fellow at the Legal Research Institute (Prosecutor General), who is accused of providing false information to a reporter during the 'KBS false report' related to the Channel A incident, and the reporter who reported it have been brought to trial.
On the 5th, the Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jundong) indicted Prosecutor General Shin Seongsik and KBS reporter A without detention on charges of defamation related to KBS's 'media collusion report.'
The prosecution alleges that Prosecutor Shin provided false information to reporter A in July 2020 regarding suspicions of media collusion involving then-Prosecutor General Han Donghoon, the Minister of Justice. Reporter A is accused of damaging Minister Han's reputation by reporting the related information as if it were confirmed fact.
At the time, KBS reported on suspicions of media collusion between Minister Han and former Channel A reporter Lee Dongjae, stating that Minister Han said, "Former Director Yoo has retired from politics," and "Even if investigated, the political burden would not be significant."
KBS acknowledged and apologized on July 19, 2020, the day after the report, for "some unconfirmed facts being expressed definitively." However, Minister Han filed complaints against KBS reporters and identified Prosecutor Shin as the person who provided false information.
The prosecution conducted a search and seizure on the suspects in August last year and summoned them for questioning in September and October. It is reported that the suspects admitted to some of the charges based on objective facts.
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