Debate on 'Election Fraud' with Lee Junseok at 6 p.m. Today
Han Hangil: "Even if I am detained, I will attend in handcuffs"
Han Gil Jeon, a former Korean history instructor, is speaking as he enters the Criminal Mobile Unit of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Dongjak District on the 27th to be investigated as a suspect. Photo by Yonhap News
The police have summoned Han Hangil, a YouTuber and former Korean history instructor, again after just fifteen days.
According to Yonhap News on February 27, the Criminal Mobile Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency called in Han from around 1 p.m. that day for questioning on charges of defamation by spreading false information under the Information and Communications Network Act.
Han was reported for remarks he made on YouTube on January 30, in which he suggested, in reference to Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform Party, "Given that he dismisses election fraud as a conspiracy theory, could it be that Lee himself was elected through fraudulent means?"
Upon arriving at the police station, Han told reporters, "I was speaking in general terms about people who call election fraud a conspiracy theory. I had absolutely no malicious intent to defame Representative Lee."
Regarding the scheduled debate with Lee on the topic of election fraud at 6 p.m. that day, Han stated, "Since there is no risk of destroying evidence or fleeing, there is no reason for my detention. However, even if I am wrongfully detained and put in handcuffs, I will still attend the debate."
As Han is under investigation as a suspect without having been arrested, the likelihood of his immediate detention, even if a warrant is requested, is low. He also appeared for questioning on February 12 on allegations of spreading false information about President Lee Jaemyung. Han has been reported at least eight times on charges including defamation and intimidation, and in some of those cases, he has been found not guilty.
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