Prosecutors Conduct Search and Seizure at Prosecutor General Shin Seong-sik's Office Over 'Channel A False Report' Allegations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The prosecution conducted a search and seizure of the office and residence of Shin Seong-sik, a research fellow at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, who is suspected of confirming false report details to a KBS reporter in connection with KBS's 'Channel A false report' incident.

The Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jun-dong) announced on the morning of the 24th that prosecutors and investigators were dispatched to secure materials at the office of Shin Seong-sik, research fellow (Chief Prosecutor) at the Judicial Research and Training Institute.

Prior to this, it was understood that summons investigations of the KBS reporters involved in the related reports had already taken place.

KBS reported a recorded conversation between then Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon and former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae on February 13, 2020, at the Busan High Prosecutors' Office, which contained circumstances suggesting a conspiracy to raise suspicions of former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation director Yoo Si-min's involvement in the ShillaJen stock price manipulation case.

At that time, KBS reported that Chief Prosecutor Han said that 'former Director Yoo had retired from politics' and that 'even if investigated, the political burden would not be significant.'

Minister Han filed a defamation lawsuit with the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office against KBS reporters and investigative agency officials who provided false information, calling the report 'fiction and fabrication.' KBS admitted the false report and apologized.

At the time of the KBS report, Chief Prosecutor Shin Seong-sik was serving as the 3rd Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

Minister Han had previously identified Chief Prosecutor Shin Seong-sik as the prosecutor who confirmed the false report details to the KBS reporter in connection with the incident.

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