Cheonanham Bereaved Families Sue Former Commissioner Shin Sang-cheol Over Grounding Allegation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The bereaved families of Sergeant Min Pyeong-gi, who died in the line of duty during the Cheonan ship sinking incident, have filed a complaint with the police against former civilian member Shin Sang-cheol of the Civil-Military Joint Investigation Group for defamation and other charges.

Min Gwang-gi, who lost his younger brother, the late Sergeant Min Pyeong-gi, in the Cheonan incident, visited the Seocho Police Station in Seoul on the afternoon of the 12th to file a complaint against former member Shin for defamation by false information under the Information and Communications Network Act, insult, and defamation of the deceased.

Min stated, "I can no longer tolerate the continuous spreading of rumors without remorse," adding, "Shin made false statements and insulting remarks on his YouTube broadcasts, such as 'How can the Cheonan be called a hero when it was an accident?' and 'The bereaved families know it was not a torpedo attack but keep silent for compensation and medals.'

Meanwhile, former member Shin, who had served on the Cheonan Civil-Military Joint Investigation Group, has raised the 'Cheonan grounding theory' and has promoted these claims through internet media and other channels.

He was indicted in 2010. At that time, the first trial court ruled that some of Shin's posts constituted defamation but found it difficult to prove malicious intent, while the second trial court acquitted him in 2020. The prosecution has appealed to the Supreme Court.

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