'Handonghun Apartment Intrusion' Allegation Puts Deotamsa CEO at Detention Crossroads

YouTube media 'Citizen Press The Tam Sa' representatives Kang Jin-gu (left) and Choi Young-min, accused of trespassing at the residence of Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, are expressing their stance before attending the pre-arrest detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on the afternoon of the 29th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Kang Jingu, CEO of the YouTube media outlet 'Citizen Press The TamSa' (hereinafter The TamSa), and Choi Youngmin, CEO, faced detention on the 29th on charges of unauthorized intrusion into the residence of Minister of Justice Han Donghoon.

On the same day, Judge Kim Seyong, in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, held a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) for The TamSa CEOs Kang and Choi, who had detention warrants requested on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (joint residential intrusion). The decision on detention is expected to be made late that night or early the next morning.

CEO Kang told reporters, "Looking at the prosecution's warrant request, the act of visiting Minister Han's apartment was not recognized at all as journalistic activity," adding, "During the police search and seizure process, the protection of the privacy of high-ranking public officials was emphasized over the freedom of journalistic activity."

Earlier, on the 27th of last month, they went through the shared entrance of the apartment in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where Minister Han lives, and reached the front door of his residence, but were reported by Minister Han on charges including joint residential intrusion and retaliatory crime.

The Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a total of three search and seizure operations at The TamSa office and the residences of the CEOs in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, starting from the 7th, and applied for detention warrants on the 26th.

CEO Kang claimed, "I only wanted to ask how the Minister of Justice feels about the situation where I was reported as a stalking criminal for tracking a public official's vehicle, which even led to a search and seizure," adding, "It was not an attempt to retaliate for being sued."

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