In relation to the controversy over the 'Daejang-dong false interview,' a civic group has filed a complaint with the police against Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu, former Press Union Chairman Shin Hak-rim, and the media outlets that reported the interview: Newstapa, KBS, and MBC.
Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, who was indicted on charges of bribery, is attending the first trial sentencing hearing related to the Daejang-dong development project lobbying and preferential treatment allegations at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu on the afternoon of the 8th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
On the 13th, the civic group Seomin Minsaeng Countermeasures Committee announced that it filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 8th against Kim, former Chairman Shin, Newstapa CEO Kim Yong-jin, KBS President Kim Ui-cheol, and former MBC President Park Sung-je on charges including disruption of national order, coercion, and defamation. The case has been assigned to the Cyber Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
The Seomin Minsaeng Countermeasures Committee stated, "Kim and former Chairman Shin pre-recorded a false interview with the intent to negatively influence President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was then the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and leaked the false interview recording to Newstapa." They added, "After Newstapa's report, it is reasonable to suspect that the media outlets that uncritically republished the fake news must have involved their respective representatives."
They continued, "Such actions constitute serious disruption of national order by spreading fake news that significantly influenced the presidential election, infringing on the people's sovereignty and undermining liberal democracy. Rather than dismissing this after the election as in the past, this case should be used as an opportunity to hold those responsible accountable, considering its gravity."
Kim is accused of conducting a false interview with former Chairman Shin in March last year before the presidential election, falsely claiming that President Yoon covered up the investigation of Jo Woo-hyung, a broker involved in the Daejang-dong loan scandal, and of delivering 165 million KRW. Newstapa is suspected of inadequately verifying the false interview before reporting it. The Korea Communications Standards Commission has decided to hear statements from the production team, with the possibility of severe sanctions, regarding reports citing Newstapa's coverage.
The prosecution has classified Kim's false interview allegations as part of a presidential election public opinion manipulation case and has formed a special investigation team on election interference and public opinion manipulation at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.
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