Conservative YouTuber Ahn Jung-kwon Appears for Warrant Hearing Over Insulting Former President Moon

Right-wing YouTuber Ahn Jung-kwon, accused of insulting former President Moon Jae-in and his wife, is responding to reporters' questions before entering the Incheon District Court for a detention hearing on the afternoon of the 5th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Conservative YouTuber Ahn Jeong-kwon (43), who is accused of insulting former President Moon Jae-in and his wife, appeared for a pre-arrest detention hearing on the 5th.

Ahn, against whom an arrest warrant was requested on charges of insult and violation of the Public Official Election Act, arrived at the Incheon District Court at around 1:20 p.m. for the hearing.

When asked by reporters, "Do you admit the charges?" Ahn replied, "The prosecution's request for a pre-arrest warrant to prove the crime is part of the investigation process, and I think it is unreasonable to interpret this as political oppression. If there is criminal guilt, it will be revealed in court."

Regarding the rally held in front of former President Moon's residence, he said, "Because the insults were too prominently highlighted in form and manner, the purpose of the rally was diminished. I regret the part that caused public outrage."

He added, "Although the rally at former President Moon's residence caused various controversies, the former president bears responsibility for the current economic crisis and political polarization. The intention was to cooperate with the current government and ask the retired president to stop further division."

Ahn's warrant hearing was held from 2:30 p.m. on the same day, presided over by Judge Kim Hyun-duk, who is in charge of warrants at the Incheon District Court, and the decision on detention was expected to be made later in the afternoon.

Ahn is accused of insulting former President Moon and his wife by using a vehicle loudspeaker to shout insults near the former president's residence in Pyeongsan Village, Yangsan City, Gyeongnam Province, since shortly after Moon's retirement on May 10. He reportedly live-streamed the protest scenes on YouTube and earned revenue through viewer donations.

He is also accused of broadcasting defamatory content against Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader and candidate in the 20th presidential election, in March.

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