Seok Donghyun Sues Jang Kyungtae for Defamation Over "Behind-the-Scenes Instigator" Claims in Seoul Western District Court Incident

"Visit to a Pub Near the Seoul Western District Court at Dawn"
Jang Kyungtae Raises Allegations of Orchestration Behind the Disturbance
Seok Donghyun Responds: "False Information... Legal Action Underway"

Lawyer Donghyun Seok. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Lawyer Seok Donghyun, a member of President Yoon Suk-yeol's legal team, has filed a lawsuit against Jang Kyungtae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who identified him as being behind the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court.

On the 22nd, Lawyer Seok announced through his social media (SNS) that "Yesterday, I filed a police complaint against Representative Jang for defamation by spreading false information, after he raised suspicions about my involvement behind the Seoul Western District Court incident during a CBS radio interview." He added, "At the same time, I filed a lawsuit with the court demanding 100 million won in damages and the publication of an official apology." He explained, "Actively responding to Representative Jang's fabrication is intended to draw a line and block the malicious intent to intimidate President Yoon or his legal team through a 'behind-the-scenes instigator' frame. It does not mean that I wish to distance myself from the citizens being investigated in relation to the Seoul Western District Court incident."

He continued, "I fully empathize with the anger of the citizens being investigated over this incident, and I earnestly hope that many lawyers will defend them with sincerity." He further stated, "Although I am absolutely opposed to any act of violence, whether the counterpart is the court or ordinary citizens, I believe there are clear problems with the illegal investigation and 'judge shopping' by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) that triggered the incident, as well as with the response and subsequent actions taken by the Seoul Western District Court." He also remarked, "I can only imagine how desperate the citizens must have been," and added, "As I am part of the president's legal team, I regret that it is difficult for me to take part in defending them."

Jang Kyungtae, Democratic Party of Korea member. Photo by Yoon Dongju

Previously, Representative Jang appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" the day before and identified Lawyer Seok as being behind the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court. He stated, "Given the mention of a specific judge's name and location, and seeing people quickly gathering in that direction, I believe there is a very high possibility of prior collusion or a behind-the-scenes orchestrator."

He continued, "Lawyer Seok, who represents Yoon Suk-yeol, entered a restaurant right next to the Seoul Western District Court at 1 a.m. I don't understand why a lawyer would go to a pub next to the court in the early morning unless he had something to do, but I received a tip that among those who were with him, there was someone who broke into the court." He added, "If Lawyer Seok and those around him incited the riot, I believe it would be sufficient grounds for the behind-the-scenes theory. I also think there must have been someone among the ringleaders who knew the inside of the judge's office, the court's interior, and even its external structure."

Representative Jang also said, "We need to further review various evidence, CCTV footage, and YouTube videos, but I believe that someone with access to highly sensitive information must have been involved in the incitement process. The rioters went directly to the judge's office with precision." He added, "Although the police need to investigate those who have been arrested, I do not believe that many of them are just ordinary supporters. It is highly likely that they are people closely connected to Pastor Jeon Kwanghoon, far-right YouTubers, or others deeply involved in the incident."

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