Former Channel A Reporter Dongjae Lee: "Respecting the Investigation Review Committee's Decision... Conspiracy Allegations Are Not True"

Former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae, identified as a key suspect in the 'alleged collusion between prosecutors and media,' is attending the warrant hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Lee is accused of threatening Lee Cheol, former CEO of Value Invest Korea (VIK), during his investigation of the 'Shinrajen scandal,' warning that he could face criminal disadvantages if he did not report allegations of corruption involving Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Lee Dong-jae, former Channel A reporter under investigation by the prosecution for the alleged "collusion between prosecutors and media," stated on the 24th, "I respect the decision of the Prosecution Investigation Deliberation Committee, but there was no collusion between the prosecution and the media."

On the same afternoon, immediately after the Investigation Deliberation Committee issued an opinion of "continue investigation and prosecution" regarding Lee, he released a statement saying, "Although there are regrets, I respect the decision of the Prosecution Investigation Deliberation Committee and will carefully determine whether the charge of attempted coercion is established in the upcoming investigation and trial."

Lee emphasized, "The suspicion that I conspired with high-ranking prosecutors is completely untrue, and there was no collusion between the prosecution and the media."

He added, "I apologize for causing social controversy due to a reporter's excessive desire for coverage," and "I will sincerely participate in the future investigation and trial."

At the current affairs committee meeting held from 2 p.m. at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, the committee members listened sequentially to the opinions of Lee Cheol, former VIK CEO who requested the convening of the Investigation Deliberation Committee, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation team, former reporter Lee, and Prosecutor Han. After discussion, they resolved an opinion of "continue investigation and prosecution" for former reporter Lee and "stop investigation and non-prosecution" for Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon.

According to the Investigation Deliberation Committee, in the vote conducted with 15 current affairs committee members present excluding Chairman Yang Chang-soo, 12 members voted for continuing the investigation regarding former reporter Lee, and 9 members voted for prosecution.

On the other hand, regarding Prosecutor Han, 10 members voted to stop the investigation, and 11 members voted for non-prosecution, the committee reported.

Since the Investigation Deliberation Committee resolved a "prosecution" opinion only for former reporter Lee and judged it difficult to recognize a conspiracy relationship with Prosecutor Han, adopting opinions of "stop investigation" and "non-prosecution," the prosecution inevitably has to readjust the investigation direction and schedule.

The prosecution is expected to first bring former reporter Lee to trial before the expiration of his detention period, while conducting supplementary investigations on Prosecutor Han and reconsidering whether to prosecute him.

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