[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police will investigate former Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Bu Seung-chan, who raised suspicions that 'Cheongong' was involved in the decision-making process of relocating the presidential residence, and two journalists from media outlets that first reported the issue.
On the 3rd, the police assigned the case, in which the Presidential Office filed a complaint against former spokesperson Bu and two journalists for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, to the Cyber Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
On the same day, the Presidential Office filed complaints against former spokesperson Bu and two journalists from media outlets (News Tomato, Hankook Ilbo) who raised the suspicions. This is the first time the current administration has filed complaints against journalists.
In a press release, the Presidential Office stated, "The Presidential Office has repeatedly announced its policy to respond consistently to malicious and repetitive acts of creating and spreading fake news," adding, "We have decided to criminally prosecute a former Ministry of National Defense employee who published a book containing 'rumors' level suspicions about Cheongong, such as hearing that Cheongong came, and two journalists from the first media outlets that reported this without objective additional fact-checking."
It emphasized, "The relocation of the Presidential Office and residence was carried out to fulfill the election pledge made to the people, after thorough review by numerous public officials," and added, "Raising absurd fake suspicions such as 'a fortune teller participated in decision-making' is an insult to public officials and the people and a malicious framing."
Furthermore, it stated, "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 relocation of the presidential residence,' there must be at least objective evidence such as direct or indirect confirmation of Cheongong's whereabouts, witnesses who saw Cheongong 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 added, "The Presidential Office will continue to respond to fake news according to principles and will make further efforts to strengthen communication with the public."
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