Prosecution Indicts Former Channel A Reporter Over 'Media-Political Collusion' Allegations... No Mention of Han Dong-hoon's Involvement

Lee Dong-jae, former Channel A reporter 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. The reporter is accused of threatening Lee Cheol, former CEO of Value Invest Korea (VIK), during his investigation of the 'Shinrajen allegations,' warning that he could face criminal disadvantages if he did not provide information about alleged corruption involving Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Lee Dong-jae, a former Channel A reporter who was the key figure in the so-called 'media-prosecution collusion suspicion' and was investigated by the prosecution, was indicted on the 5th.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-ung) announced that Lee was arrested and indicted on charges of attempted coercion that morning. Lee was detained on the 17th of last month and was indicted on the day his detention period expired.

Lee is accused of sending five letters to Lee Cheol, former CEO of Value Invest Korea (VIK) and major shareholder of SillaJen, threatening him by mentioning the possibility of an investigation into his family and demanding, "Report the corruption allegations of Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation."

Chairman Yoo came under controversy after it was revealed that he gave lectures to employees of Lee's company in 2014 and delivered congratulatory remarks at a SillaJen-related event the following year.

However, the prosecution excluded any conspiracy with Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon from Lee's indictment.

The investigation team suspected that Chief Prosecutor Han conspired in Lee's threatening reporting and conducted an investigation, but it is known that no decisive evidence has been found so far.

The prosecution stated, "We plan to clearly determine whether Chief Prosecutor Han was involved through additional investigations and then handle the case accordingly."

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