"Handonghun's Remark on Tracking the Account of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation... Hwang Heeseok Fined 5 Million Won"

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon was fined in court after former Open Democratic Party Supreme Council member Hwang Hee-seok, who raised allegations that Han tracked the account of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, was prosecuted.

On the 2nd, Judge Shin Seo-won of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 5 sentenced former Supreme Council member Hwang to a fine of 5 million won for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.

The court stated, "Considering the defendant's profession and position, the impact of the defendant's remarks on the public is very significant," and added, "The remarks likely caused additional or aggravated mental distress to the victim." However, it also noted, "Freedom of expression on matters of public interest is an important constitutional right that must be guaranteed to the fullest extent."

In November 2021, former Supreme Council member Hwang appeared on the TBS YouTube channel 'National Assembly Front Yujeong Dabang' and said, "(The prosecution) tracked the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's account from September to October 2019 and reviewed all transaction details," adding, "In the process, they shared information related to Shiniljan with a Channel A reporter in an attempt to catch former Foundation Director Yoo Si-min."

At that time, Minister Han was the head of the Anti-Corruption and Violence Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, leading nationwide special investigations. He denied ever tracking the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's account and filed a police complaint against former Supreme Council member Hwang in December 2021.