President Moon Jae-in's Statement: "Ko Young-joo's 'Communism' Remark is Clear Defamation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The legal representative of President Moon Jae-in argued that the remarks made by former Broadcasting Culture Promotion Committee Chairman Ko Young-joo, who referred to President Moon as a 'communist,' constitute clear defamation and require punishment.

On the 16th, President Moon's lawyer announced that they would submit a written opinion containing this assertion to the court during the appeal trial of former Chairman Ko at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeal Division 9 (Presiding Judge Choi Han-don).

In the written opinion, the lawyer claimed, "The defendant's statement did not merely label the victim as a communist but categorically described him as 'a person engaged in communist activities.'"

Furthermore, the lawyer detailed the reasons why former Chairman Ko made such a definitive statement, pointing out that it was not simply an expression of opinion but constituted a 'statement of fact.' Even if Ko's remarks were considered an 'expression of opinion,' it was emphasized that it clearly amounted to defamation.

The lawyer also included the opinion that "Under any circumstances claimed by the defendant, it cannot be seen that the victim made statements or engaged in activities denying respect for fundamental human rights, separation of powers, parliamentary systems, multi-party systems, electoral systems, private property rights, or judicial independence."

In January 2013, at a New Year's gathering of a conservative civic group, former Chairman Ko referred to President Moon, who was the 18th Democratic United Party presidential candidate, as "a communist, and if this person becomes president, it is only a matter of time before our country turns red."

In September 2015, President Moon filed a defamation lawsuit against former Chairman Ko. Subsequently, in September 2017, the prosecution indicted Ko without detention on charges of defamation by false statement.

The first trial court acquitted former Chairman Ko, ruling that there was no intent to defame.

However, in the damages lawsuit filed by President Moon against former Chairman Ko, both the first and second trials recognized liability for compensation and ordered the payment of damages.

The second trial court set the sentencing date for the 13th of next month.

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