Former Cheonan Ship Captain Choi Won-il Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Shin Sang-chul Over 'Grounding Theory'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] Former Cheonan ship captain Choi Won-il has filed a defamation lawsuit with the police against former Civil-Military Joint Investigation Committee member Shin Sang-chul, accusing him of spreading conspiracy theories about the Cheonan incident.

On the 31st at around 3 p.m., former Captain Choi submitted a complaint to the Seocho Police Station in Seoul, stating, "(Former Committee member Shin) spread false information, defaming the honor of those who died protecting the country, and continuously caused mental and physical suffering to the bereaved families and surviving soldiers who lost their comrades."

Former Captain Choi added, "(Former Committee member Shin) filed a complaint against me and the then operations officer last year for false reporting and dereliction of duty under the Military Criminal Act, and the Seocho Police Station is currently investigating," expressing, "I cannot understand the situation where a soldier who protected him is being accused."

He said, "For the past 12 years, the military and government have not even responded to the conspiracy theories, and the political circles have used the Cheonan incident for political strife," adding, "The government and military should step forward and explain that the conspiracy theories are not true."

Shin, who has advocated the 'Cheonan ship grounding theory,' was indicted in August 2010 on charges of defaming the military and Joint Investigation Group officials by claiming through internet media that the government manipulated the cause of the Cheonan ship sinking.

The first trial court found some of Shin's posts to be defamatory and sentenced him guilty. However, the appellate court acquitted him regarding the posts claiming that the government deliberately delayed the salvage, stating, "Although it includes unverified facts, it is difficult to see it as having the purpose of defamation."

Shin, who also served as a member of the Cheonan Civil-Military Joint Investigation Team, filed a petition with the committee in September 2020 requesting the cause of death of the Cheonan crew members be revealed. When the committee decided to start an investigation in December of the same year, there was backlash mainly from the Cheonan victims' families and surviving soldiers, leading the committee to dismiss the petition and the chairman to resign.

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