Handonghun: "There was no conspiracy from the start, so it is natural that it was not stated in the indictment"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Han Dong-hoon, the chief prosecutor who was investigated by the prosecution as a suspect in the so-called 'alleged collusion between prosecutors and media,' once again emphasized that he "did not conspire (to commit the crime)."

On the 5th, Chief Prosecutor Han issued a statement saying, "Since there was no conspiracy from the beginning, it is natural that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office could not specify conspiracy in the indictment of former reporter Lee Dong-jae," and added, "Please refrain from distorting this case as 'prosecutor-media collusion.'"

The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jung Jin-woong) on the same day arrested and indicted former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae on charges of 'intimidating reporting' against Lee Cheol, former CEO of Value Invest Korea.

However, Chief Prosecutor Han, who is suspected of conspiring in the intimidation, was not indicted on that day. The indictment of former reporter Lee did not specify any conspiracy with Chief Prosecutor Han.

The prosecution stated, "Due to Chief Prosecutor Han's non-cooperation, we have not been able to start forensic analysis of seized materials, and the first suspect investigation has not yet been completed," adding, "We plan to handle the case after clearly determining whether Chief Prosecutor Han conspired in the crime through additional investigations."

In response, Chief Prosecutor Han rebutted, saying, "I have cooperated with the investigation according to the procedures prescribed by law," and emphasized, "I now request a proper investigation into the 'operations' or 'collusion between political power and media' involving MBC, whistleblowers of allegations, and politicians, which the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has not conducted so far."

He continued, "If the investigation team, including Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Sung-yoon, is not involved in the 'KBS false report,' I request at least a minimal explanation and that Chief Prosecutor Jung Jin-woong, who committed abuse of authority, be excluded from the investigation."

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