Prosecutors Summon MBC Reporter Who First Reported 'Suspicion of Collusion Between Prosecutors and Media'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The MBC reporter who first reported the 'alleged collusion between prosecutors and media' was questioned by the prosecution.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jung Jin-woong) summoned MBC reporter Jang In-su for questioning as a suspect this morning.

On March 31, Reporter Jang was the first to report the so-called 'alleged collusion between prosecutors and media,' claiming that reporter Lee had conducted threatening coverage against Lee Cheol (55, currently imprisoned), former CEO of Value Invest Korea (VIK).

The conservative civic group Liberty Democratic National Alliance filed a complaint against MBC officials for defamation and obstruction of business, arguing that the report on the alleged collusion was false.

During the follow-up reporting, Reporter Jang raised suspicions that former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Kyung-hwan invested 6.5 billion won in SillaJen, leading to a defamation lawsuit against him.

Jang's summons for questioning is related to this matter.

Earlier, on the 18th, Jang appeared on MBC Newsdesk and explained, "There was no intention to set any traps or distort facts," adding, "The evidence of the (alleged collusion) is accurately contained in the emails exchanged on my cellphone and the written prison interview with CEO Lee Cheol."

The investigation team plans to verify the facts not only regarding the attempted coercion allegations against former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae (35, detained) but also various related complaints and lawsuits stemming from this case.

This afternoon, reporter Lee will also be summoned for the first time since his detention to be intensively questioned about whether he conspired with Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon (47, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 27) to conduct threatening coverage.

Reporter Lee was detained on the 17th afternoon on charges of attempted coercion and met with the lead prosecutor at the prosecution office the following day.

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