Prosecutors Decide Not to Indict Kim Eo-jun Over Allegations of Being Behind Grandmother Lee Yong-soo's Claims

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, who was accused by a civic group of raising a 'behind-the-scenes theory' about Japanese military comfort women victim Grandma Lee Yong-soo, has been dismissed without indictment by the prosecution.

According to the legal community on the 13th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Park Hyun-chul) dismissed the case on the 21st of last month due to insufficient evidence. The case involved the Judicial Examination Preparation Group (Sajunmo) accusing Kim last June of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.

On May 26 of last year, Kim stated on his radio program that "the grandmother's story is similar to the claims of Choi Yong-sang, leader of the Gaja Human Rights and Peace Party," and "the press conference document was not written by the grandmother herself." In response, Grandma Lee's side denied the behind-the-scenes theory, saying, "I asked my foster daughter to write exactly what I wrote."

Seoul Mapo Police Station, which conducted the investigation under the prosecution's direction, reported in September last year that the defamation charge was not established and forwarded the case with a recommendation for non-prosecution. The police judged that "Kim's remarks were more an expression of opinion rather than stating specific facts."

The Sajunmo, who accused Kim, stated, "It is difficult to understand why the prosecution indicted Ryu Seok-chun, who repeatedly made outrageous remarks about comfort women victims during class, but dismissed Kim Eo-jun without indictment," and added, "We are reviewing whether to appeal."

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