Lee Nak-yeon Files Civil and Criminal Lawsuits Against YouTuber Claiming 'Shincheonji Connection'

July 7, 50 Million Won Compensation Claim Lawsuit

Former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Nak-yeon, has filed a civil lawsuit and reported to the police against a YouTuber who claimed a connection between him and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji).

According to the legal community on the 10th, Lee filed a lawsuit demanding 50 million won in damages against YouTuber Jung Mo on July 17 at the Seoul Central District Court.

Former Lee Nak-yeon, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Jung, who runs the political and current affairs YouTube channel 'Sisa Geon Geon,' uploaded a video titled "We show you definite evidence that Lee Nak-yeon joined hands with Shincheonji" on June 26 this year. This was two days after Lee, who had gone to study in the United States after the presidential election, returned to Korea.

Lee had competed against Lee Jae-myung in the Democratic Party's presidential primary, and after losing, he accepted the position of general election campaign committee chairman at the request of Lee Jae-myung's side and remained on the front lines. Afterwards, he stayed as a visiting researcher at George Washington University in the U.S. for one year before returning.

In the video, Jung emphasized Lee's study period of "1 year and 17 days," claiming it coincides with the period Noah spent on the ark and that Shincheonji's doctrine is closely related to Noah.

He also cited the color of Lee's necktie as evidence, stating it matches the symbolic color of a specific Shincheonji sect.

Lee stated that he has no connection to Shincheonji and is not a believer, and that Jung irresponsibly broadcast false facts forcibly fabricated.

Lee's side reportedly claimed, "There are some political forces and their supporters who wish to damage the image of a politician who served as the former leader of the main opposition party," adding, "The content of such false videos is highly likely to be repeatedly amplified and reproduced by them as the general and presidential elections approach."

In the upcoming trial, the key issues are expected to be Lee's status as a 'public figure,' the permissible scope of freedom of expression for the YouTuber, and the legality and liability for illegal acts.

Lee also filed a police complaint against Jung for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation). The case is currently under investigation by the Guro Police Station in Seoul.

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