Publishing Culture Association "Strong Concern Over Presidential Residence 'Cheongong' Involvement Allegations... Publisher Search and Seizure"

The Korea Publishers Association (KPA) has demanded an apology from the Ministry of National Defense and measures to prevent recurrence following the Ministry's prosecution unit's search and seizure of a civilian publishing company on charges of leaking military secrets. This is the first time a publishing company has been subjected to such a search and seizure.

According to the statement, on the 9th, the Ministry of National Defense prosecution unit conducted a search and seizure of the publisher that released the book Power and Security by former Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Bu Seung-chan. The KPA stated that all files used in the publishing process, the publishing contract details with the author, royalties paid to the author, and bank account information were seized.

Former Defense Ministry Spokesperson Bu Seung-chan at a book concert
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The KPA argued, "Even if the execution of the search and seizure cannot be considered procedurally illegal, we cannot help but question whether it was necessary to carry out a search and seizure on the publishing company," adding, "The search and seizure was an excessive and unnecessary investigation unrelated directly to verifying the truth of the alleged charges."

They continued, "Regarding the 'leak of military secrets,' it is sufficient to judge based on the content presented in the final book," emphasizing, "However, the seized materials are unrelated directly to the charges, and there is no necessity to secure them through search and seizure."

Furthermore, they stated, "We strongly express the publishing industry's concern that the Ministry of National Defense's search and seizure of a civilian publishing company should not set a precedent that violates the constitutional fundamental right and the precious societal value of freedom of publication."

In February, former Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Bu Seung-chan raised allegations in his book Power and Security that the fortune teller 'Cheongong' was involved in selecting President Yoon Seok-yeol's official residence. Since then, the Ministry of National Defense has been investigating Bu on charges of leaking military secrets. On the 3rd, the Ministry filed a provisional injunction with the Seoul Central District Court to ban the sale of the book.

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