'Handonghun Sasal Jujang' Kim Eojun Reported for Inciting Rebellion

Seominwi Submits Complaint to Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency
"Absurd Claims Increasing Social Confusion"
"Provoking North Korea and the US... Alleged Crime of Inciting Rebellion"

A civic group has reported broadcaster Kim Eo-jun to investigative authorities, claiming that "there was a plan to assassinate Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, during martial law."

The civic group, the Committee for the Protection of the Common People's Livelihood (Seominwi), announced on the 18th that they filed a complaint against Kim with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on charges including incitement to rebellion and defamation. In the complaint, they stated, "Not only did he inflame social chaos by provoking the leaders of both ruling and opposition parties with absurd and outrageous claims, but he also provoked North Korea and the United States, which are shaking the international situation," adding, "Such outrageous remarks that create a sense of war crisis on the Korean Peninsula constitute incitement to rebellion."

On the 13th, at the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, broadcaster Kim Eo-jun is responding to questions. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 13th, Kim appeared as a witness before the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee and introduced information he had received related to the emergency martial law situation, saying, "Not all facts have been confirmed." While checking his notes, he recited, "First, assassinate Han Dong-hoon while he is being arrested and transferred. Second, stage an attack on the unit escorting Cho Kuk, Yang Jeong-cheol, and Kim Eo-jun to rescue them, then flee. Third, bury North Korean military uniforms at a specific location. Fourth, after a certain point, discover the uniforms and announce it as a North Korean act." He added, "To elaborate, Han Dong-hoon is the ruling party leader who is easy to blame on North Korea, and the purpose of the rescue operation for Cho Kuk, Yang Jeong-cheol, and Kim Eo-jun is to inflict maximum damage on the unit involved and announce that North Korea attempted to rescue pro-North Korean forces."

Kim also said, "I have not heard about any demands to assassinate the three people during the process, so I do not know. There is more information beyond that," and added, "The plan includes killing several U.S. soldiers to provoke the U.S. into bombing North Korea. I hope the responsible unit contacts Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Byung-joo or Park Seon-won." He further explained, "I also received information about biochemical terrorism, but whether to disclose it is up to the lawmakers."

Subsequently, on the 16th, lawmaker Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "I give weight to the possibility that the allegations are true," adding, "A lot of information is leaking from the U.S. side right now." He said, "Perhaps even now, the U.S. is wiretapping the presidential office. That might be why on the 12th, U.S. Representative Brad Sherman said, 'Even if North Korea stages provocations, the U.S. can tell,'” and continued, "Such information is gradually leaking, but it will not be easy for the U.S. to reveal these facts because it would mean admitting they wiretapped." However, regarding clear evidence, he was cautious, saying, "It is under verification."