Prosecution Seeks 1-Year Prison Sentence for An Minseok on Charges of Defamation Against Choi Seowon

An: "It Is Injustice to Go After the Person Who Asked to Catch the Thief"
Sentencing Scheduled for March 6 at 10:40 a.m.

The prosecution has requested a one-year prison sentence for former Democratic Party lawmaker An Min-seok, who was indicted on charges of defamation for making statements about Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil), a key figure in the Park Geun-hye administration's state corruption scandal.

On the 23rd, during the sentencing hearing for An's defamation case under the Information and Communications Network Act, held at the Suwon District Court Criminal Division 19 (Judge Seol In-young presiding), the prosecution asked the court to sentence him to one year in prison.

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Min-seok, who was indicted on charges of defamation against Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil), is coming out after the first trial held on April 23 last year at the Suwon District Court in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News

The prosecution explained the reason for the request, stating, "Even if the issue was of great public interest at the time, maliciously spreading false information cannot be excused," and added, "Despite being a member of the National Assembly, he spread fake news that caused great harm to society through his actions."

In response, An's defense attorney argued in the final statement, "The defendant's remarks made on broadcasts and lectures concerned the public interest," and claimed, "The defendant had no personal feelings when urging thorough investigations and recovery of overseas hidden funds related to Choi Soon-sil, who was the subject of multiple special prosecutor investigations and an unofficial power figure who was never officially verified."

In his final statement, An said, "I asked to catch the thief, but they failed to catch the thief and instead are trying to catch the person who asked to catch the thief, which I believe is injustice," and added, "Before prosecuting me, the prosecution should first explain why they did not investigate the hidden assets." He continued, "My statements urging prosecution investigations into Choi Soon-sil's hidden assets made on broadcasts and lectures were public interest activities based on tips and media reports," emphasizing, "It was not personal defamation but for the public's right to know."

He further stated, "If I am found guilty, it would be concerning that a politician who has led efforts to reveal the truth about the state corruption scandal would be framed as a liar, thereby granting impunity to the corrupt forces."

In 2016, An appeared on a radio show and made statements regarding several unverified facts, including "Money from domestic company A deposited in a secret Swiss account is linked to Choi Soon-sil," "Choi Soon-sil's hidden assets in Germany amount to trillions of won, and there are hundreds of German paper companies used for money laundering, confirmed by German prosecutors," and "Choi Soon-sil met with the chairman of a foreign defense company and facilitated weapon contracts."

Subsequently, Choi filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in September 2019, accusing An of defamation by spreading false information. The case was transferred to the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, which, after investigation, indicted An without detention. The sentencing trial for An is scheduled to be held on March 6 at 10:40 a.m.