Prosecution Investigates Ji Mo, Whistleblower of MBC's 'Suspicion of Collusion Between Prosecution and Media' Report... Former Human Rights Director Hwang Hee-seok Participates as Defense Attorney

On April 28th, a prosecution search and seizure was conducted in front of Channel A headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The prosecution investigating the alleged "collusion between prosecutors and media" summoned Ji Mo (55), who reported the allegations to MBC, for questioning on the 13th.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-ung) called Ji in the morning as a witness and complainant to inquire about the circumstances under which he responded to Channel A's coverage as a representative of former Value Invest Korea (VIK) CEO Lee Cheol (55, currently incarcerated).

Ji is known as the person who reported the alleged collusion between Channel A reporter Lee and a certain chief prosecutor, which was broadcast by MBC on March 31.

At that time, MBC reported that a Channel A legal team reporter approached the camp of former CEO Lee, who is imprisoned in connection with the SillaJen case, mentioning the possibility of expanding investigations into his family and demanding that he provide information about the misconduct of Rho Moo-hyun Foundation Chairman Yoo Si-min. The report also stated that the reporter boasted of his close relationship by sharing conversations with a chief prosecutor known to be a close aide of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.

Ji also reported the allegations of former Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Choi Kyung-hwan’s (65) investment in SillaJen, which was also covered by MBC. As a result, Ji is currently being sued for defamation by former Deputy Prime Minister Choi.

It was reported that former Ministry of Justice Human Rights Bureau Chief Hwang Hee-seok participated in the investigation as Ji’s legal counsel.

On the same day around 7 p.m., former Chief Hwang disclosed on his Facebook under the title "Progress of the General Election Manipulation Case" that he had visited the prosecution office with Ji.

He wrote, "Today, I went to the prosecution office with whistleblower X, who exposed the general election manipulation by Channel A and a certain chief prosecutor," adding, "The key points beyond what is already publicly known are as follows."

He continued, "We submitted evidence showing that besides Channel A reporters Lee OO and Baek OO, the social affairs chief and higher leadership were aware of and involved in the manipulation."

Former Chief Hwang also wrote, "We specifically conveyed statements in which reporters Lee OO and Baek OO themselves admitted that the prosecutor who planned the manipulation operation with them is Han OO, and we will soon submit objective evidence to verify this." He used the real names of the reporters and the prosecutor.

Finally, he added, "We reject distorted, speculative, and pieced-together reports," and "We also reject resignation submissions aimed at scapegoating. This case requires not only investigation but also inspection and disciplinary action."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.