Handonghun Loses Second Trial in Defamation Suit Against Reporter... First Trial Overturned

First Trial Recognizes 10 Million Won Compensation Liability
Law: "Sufficient Grounds for Suspicions as Media"

Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, lost the second trial in a defamation lawsuit he filed against a reporter for spreading false information and damaging his reputation while he was serving as a chief prosecutor.

Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

The Seoul Central District Court Civil Appeals Division 10-2 (Presiding Judges Kim Dong-hyun, Lee Sang-ah, Song Young-hwan) overturned the original ruling that partially favored the plaintiff in the second trial of the damages lawsuit Han filed against former reporter Jang Mo on the 1st, ruling in favor of the defendant.

The court stated, "It is true that the plaintiff was not given specific authority and responsibility in the LCT investigation, and it is natural for him to feel unfairness and anger at the criticism and suspicion raised by the reporter from a personal standpoint," but added, "As the media, it is possible to sufficiently raise suspicions about whether a senior public official in charge of a major investigative agency with abstract authority over the LCT investigation faithfully performed his duties."

Furthermore, the court said, "As a public official, the plaintiff should overcome such criticism through explanation and rebuttal in accordance with the Supreme Court precedent, and it is necessary to be cautious about trying to restrict media oversight and criticism through a damages lawsuit."

In March 2021, former reporter Jang posted on his Facebook, "Why did Han Dong-hoon, who is said to be so good at investigations, conduct the Haeundae LCT investigation in such a manner? Why did Yoon Seok-yeol, who insisted on a large-scale raid at the beginning, do nothing about LCT?" and made statements on YouTube implying that "Minister Han could have investigated the LCT case but did not."

In response, Chairman Han filed a lawsuit claiming 100 million won in damages, stating that although he was not involved in the investigation, former reporter Jang posted malicious fake news and insulted him on a YouTube broadcast.

In the first trial, Chairman Han partially won. The court found that former reporter Jang's Facebook posts were not problematic, judging that considering it was a matter of public interest, it fell within the scope of legitimate media activity regarding a public official. However, the court ruled that Jang's statements on YouTube were acts of falsehood beyond legitimate media activity and held him liable for damages.