Prosecutors Summon Channel A Reporter Over 'Geom-eon Yuchak' Allegations... Investigation Nearing Completion

Channel A Headquarters. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The prosecution investigating the so-called 'media-prosecution collusion' allegations, which surfaced through an MBC report, summoned and questioned a Channel A reporter, who is the subject of the allegations.

According to the prosecution on the 12th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-ung), which is investigating the case, summoned Channel A reporter Lee (35) as a suspect on charges of attempted coercion and questioned him until around 6 p.m. before allowing him to leave. It is known that Lee had been appearing before the prosecution since the 8th, observing the digital forensic examination of his confiscated mobile phone while also being questioned.

Lee is accused of threatening, during his coverage of former Value Invest Korea (VIK) CEO Lee Cheol (55), who is currently imprisoned in connection with the SillaJen case, that "if you do not cooperate with the prosecution's investigation, the investigation could expand to your family and you may suffer disadvantages," and demanding that he provide information about the misconduct of Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.

The prosecution is reported to have questioned Lee about the circumstances that led to this coverage and the extent to which the situation was reported within the company.

In particular, they focused on the controversial phone call with the "current chief prosecutor," pressing for details on who the prosecutor was and whether any actual investigative information was shared.

Earlier, on the 14th of last month, the prosecution seized two mobile phones from Lee through company officials during Channel A's internal investigation process.

Lee filed a quasi-appeal with the court, claiming that the seizure was illegal. After the media-prosecution collusion allegations surfaced, the prosecution also seized another mobile phone used by Lee on the 2nd.

On March 31, 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, and demanded information about Yoo Si-min's misconduct.

Additionally, during the process, the reporter reportedly played a phone call with a chief prosecutor known to be a close aide of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, flaunting their connection, which sparked controversy.

With the prosecution having completed the analysis of the seized items and conducted a summons investigation of Lee, the key figure in the allegations, the investigation appears to be entering its final stages.

It is expected that once the investigation of Lee is completed, the prosecution will conclude the investigation by examining whether Lee's superiors within Channel A were involved and then announce the final investigation results.

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