"I Will Also File a Compensation Lawsuit" Cho Kuk Sues Channel A and TV Chosun Reporters

"Counterarguments, Correction Reports, and Claims for Damages... The Minimum Defensive Measures for the Family"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. On the 19th of last month, he was entering the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, when he was asked questions by the press. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk has filed a defamation complaint with the police against Channel A and TV Chosun reporters who reported that he visited a temple with Song Cheol-ho, the Democratic Party candidate for Ulsan mayor, during the 2018 local elections to ask for support.

On the 28th, Cho shared the article on his Facebook and stated, "I have submitted a request to the police to punish the reporter who broadcast false information on Channel A's 'News A' at 7:30 p.m. on November 29 last year for defamation by false facts."

Regarding the report, Cho said, "When I was the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House, I went down to Ulsan just before the June 13, 2018 local elections and met Song Cheol-ho, the Democratic Party candidate for Ulsan mayor. ② I visited a temple in Ulsan with Song Cheol-ho and his party, and at the temple visit, I asked a senior monk to support Song Cheol-ho's candidacy for Ulsan mayor," adding, "All of this is false."

He continued, "Mayor Song also stated through the media that 'Former Secretary Cho did not even come to Ulsan before or after the 2018 election.' The Channel A reporter did not verify any facts with me before the report," and explained, "On December 13 last year, I requested a correction of the report to the Korea Press Arbitration Commission, but Channel A refused. Therefore, I am seeking criminal punishment."

He added, "This complaint is the second request for criminal punishment following the criminal complaint against a former Monthly Chosun reporter," and said, "There have been numerous false and exaggerated reports related to me and my family, but these two false claims not only damaged my personal honor but also constituted a serious attack on my duties as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, so I sought criminal punishment. I will also file a damages lawsuit against the two individuals later."

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk posted on his Facebook on the 28th / Photo by Cho Kuk Facebook capture

On the same day, Cho posted another message, stating, "After filing a defamation complaint against the Channel A reporter for false facts today, I received a tip that a TV Chosun reporter also made a 'exclusive' false report with the same content, so I filed an additional complaint."

Previously, Cho had warned that he would take legal action against false reports related to him and his family.

In a post on his Facebook on the 20th, Cho said, "In the second half of last year, there were an enormous amount of false, exaggerated, and speculative reports about me and my family, but I had no capacity to respond due to preparing for the hearing, performing ministerial duties, and responding to investigations," adding, "However, now I will actively request rebuttals and corrections under the 'Act on the Mediation and Relief of Damage Caused by the Press' against media companies and claim damages against individual reporters who wrote the articles."

He continued, "For articles past the application period allowed by the same law, or content on personal YouTube channels rather than the media, I will proceed with damages lawsuits under civil law, and in cases of serious illegality, I will also file criminal complaints," emphasizing, "This is the minimum defensive measure to protect the honor of me and my family. Even if it takes time, I will find and take action against every problematic article one by one."

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