Partial Victory in Cheongdam-dong Drinking Party Case
Han Donghoon Urges Democratic Party for a Sincere Apology
Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon has called on the Democratic Party of Korea to issue an apology after winning a damages lawsuit related to the so-called 'Cheongdam-dong cellist drinking party' allegations.
On August 13, Han wrote on his Facebook page, "The court ruling has confirmed that the allegations were completely groundless and false." He continued, "The Democratic Party deliberately spread this low-quality fake news during the National Assembly audit, and the party leader played the video again at the Supreme Council meeting to launch a concentrated attack against me." Han added, "Recently, President Lee Jaemyung expressed a strong commitment to cracking down on fake news, including considering the introduction of punitive damages. The same standard should be applied to this case. Former lawmaker Kim Eui-gyeom was rewarded with the position of Saemangeum Development Authority chief instead of being held accountable. Now that the court has ruled, I expect a sincere apology from the Democratic Party."
On the same day, the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Agreement Division 14 ruled partly in favor of Han in his 1 billion won damages lawsuit against Kim Eui-gyeom, head of the Saemangeum Development Authority, and Kang Jingu, former head of the YouTube media outlet 'Citizen Press The Tamsa', among others.
The Cheongdam-dong drinking party allegation claimed that in July 2022, Han attended a late-night gathering at a luxury bar in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, together with former President Yoon Sukyeol and lawyers from major law firms. At the time, Kim, then a lawmaker, raised the allegation during a meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
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