"Choi Soon-sil's Hidden Assets Worth Trillions" An Min-seok Denies Charges at First Trial... "Public Interest Statement"

On the 23rd, Ahn Min-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who was indicted on charges of defaming Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil), known as the unofficial power behind the so-called 'state affairs manipulation' incident during former President Park Geun-hye's administration, denied the charges at the first trial.

Ahn Min-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted on charges of defamation against Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil), is answering questions from reporters after finishing the first trial held at the Suwon District Court in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do on the morning of the 23rd.

At the first hearing on defamation charges under the Information and Communications Network Act held in the Suwon District Court's Criminal Division 19 presided over by Judge Lee Jae-hyun, Ahn's lawyer stated in the morning, "The defendant denies the charges."

He added, "The defendant's remarks on a YouTube broadcast in December 2016 were intended to convey that 'the German prosecutors are also investigating Choi Soon-sil's money laundering,'" and requested, "We ask the court to pay attention to that intent."

He continued, "The defendant's remarks were urging the Korean special prosecutors to conduct a thorough investigation as well, emphasizing the need for cooperative investigations between Korea and Germany," and added, "In fact, the Korean prosecutors formally submitted a request for investigative cooperation to the German prosecutors."

Ahn's side argued, "As a result of the cooperative investigation, some of Choi's assets were even seized, confirming that the defendant's remarks served a public interest," and claimed, "This represented the pursuit of hidden assets, which became a matter of national interest, and there was no personal intent or purpose to defame."

Ahn was brought to trial on charges of defaming Choi by making unverified statements through various media outlets from 2016 to 2017.

At the time, Ahn stated, "I confirmed from the German prosecutors that Choi Soon-sil's hidden assets in Germany amount to trillions of won and that there are hundreds of German paper companies used for money laundering," "Choi Soon-sil met with the chairman of a foreign defense company and facilitated weapon contracts," and "Money from domestic companies deposited in Swiss secret accounts is related to Choi Soon-sil."

However, the prosecution's investigation found that Ahn made these statements without verifying the facts with the German prosecutors or foreign defense companies.

Choi filed a complaint against Ahn with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in September 2019, claiming all of Ahn's statements were false. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office transferred the case to the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office. Earlier, in 2017, a conservative group also filed a complaint against Ahn on the same charges, which was investigated by the Osan Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, Ahn's constituency, and then sent to the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office. The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office merged the two cases, found grounds for defamation charges against Ahn, and indicted him without detention in November last year.

After Ahn's indictment, Choi filed an additional complaint based on other statements, but it is known that this was not merged into the current trial. In the additional complaint, Choi claimed that "At a book launch event held by Ahn in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, in June 2017, he spread false information such as 'Choi Soon-sil instructed Jang Si-ho to take down Ahn Min-seok and to thoroughly investigate him.'"

Ahn, a five-term lawmaker affiliated with the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, failed to secure the party nomination in the April 10 general election, thus failing to win a sixth term. He opposed being cut off from the nomination as his constituency, Osan in Gyeonggi Province, was designated a strategic district, and filed for a rehearing but ultimately accepted the party's decision.

Article 45 of the Constitution stipulates parliamentary immunity, stating, "Members of the National Assembly shall not be held liable outside the National Assembly for their speeches or votes conducted in the course of their duties." Since the statements in question were made while Ahn was a sitting member, if the remarks made within the National Assembly are recognized as official duties, parliamentary immunity would apply. However, statements made by Ahn outside the National Assembly, such as on broadcasts, could be subject to criminal punishment if found to be false and if there is implied intent to defame.

Meanwhile, the prosecution requested two witnesses, including Choi, at the hearing. The second hearing scheduled for June 18 will include witness examination of Choi.