Presidential Office Files Complaint Against Bu Seung-chan and Media Outlets Claiming 'Cheonggong Residence Intervention'

"Malicious and Repetitive Fake News Spread... Responding According to Consistent Standards"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] On the 3rd, the Presidential Office decided to file a criminal complaint against former Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Bu Seungchan, who claimed the involvement of shaman Cheongong in the residence relocation process, and two media outlets (News Tomato and Hankook Ilbo) that reported on this.

On the morning of the same day, the Presidential Office stated through a press release, "The Presidential Office has repeatedly announced its policy to respond consistently to acts of maliciously creating and spreading fake news," and added, "We have decided to file a criminal complaint against the former Ministry of National Defense employee who published a book on the Cheongong suspicions based on mere 'rumors' such as 'I heard that Cheongong came,' and the reporters from the two media outlets who initially reported this without objective additional fact-checking."

In particular, the office emphasized, "The Presidential Office and the residence relocation were carried out to fulfill the election pledge made to the people, after thorough review by numerous public officials," and stated, "Raising absurd fake suspicions such as 'a fortune teller participated in decision-making' is an insult to public officials and the people, as well as a malicious framing."

It continued, "The public must have witnessed through the 'Cheongdam-dong drinking party fake news' case how absurd rumors passed through multiple people and manipulated for political purposes can become," and added, "To raise serious suspicions before the sovereign people that 'Cheongong was involved in the Presidential residence relocation,' there must be at least objective evidence such as direct or indirect confirmation of Cheongong’s movements, witnesses who saw him entering or exiting the residence, or video footage."

The Presidential Office expressed deep regret that "even though it has been nine months since the Presidential Office moved to Yongsan and returned the Blue House to the people, false suspicions related to the relocation continue to be repeated," and further stated, "The Presidential Office will continue to respond to fake news according to principles and will make greater efforts to strengthen communication with the public."