Prosecution Submits Appeal in Yoo Si-min's 'Han Dong-hoon Defamation' Case

Appeal Filed on the 14th
Earlier, Yusimian Also Expressed Intent to Appeal

At 2:29 p.m. on the 9th, Yoo Si-min, former director of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, who was sentenced to a fine in the first trial for 'defamation of Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon,' is responding to questions from the press.
Photo by Oh Gyu-min

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The prosecution appealed after former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation director Yoo Si-min was sentenced to a fine in the first trial for defamation against Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon.

The Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office announced on the 15th that it had submitted an appeal to the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 7 (Presiding Judge Jeong Cheol-min) on the 14th.

A prosecution official said, "Although the first trial ruling found all charges guilty, one of the two problematic statements was acquitted due to lack of intent," adding, "There is room to dispute this part, and the appeal was filed due to the lenient sentencing."

The first trial court sentenced former director Yoo to a fine of 5 million won on the 9th for defamation via radio.

The court stated, "Despite multiple clarifications by the prosecution, the defendant did not relent and reported that the victim (Minister Han) looked into the defendant's account, who criticized former Minister Cho Kuk and his family’s investigation," adding, "Such actions can severely distort the public opinion formation process, and the victim is perceived as a prosecutor abusing investigative authority, suffering considerable mental distress and seeking punishment."

Earlier, immediately after the first trial sentencing hearing, former director Yoo expressed his intention to appeal, saying, "Some charges were acquitted and some convicted; the prosecution seems likely to appeal as well. Respecting the judgment's intent, I will appeal to contest all acquittals."

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