Did Lee Junseok Follow a Pornographic Account?... Shows Leniency After Receiving Handwritten Letter of Apology

"A Person Who Appears to Be a Han Donghoon Supporter Slanders Me"

Lee Junseok, Representative of the Reform New Party. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, has announced plans to take legal action against a netizen who spread false information claiming that he followed a social networking service (SNS) account sharing obscene content. After Lee issued a warning, the netizen immediately sent him a handwritten letter of apology.

On October 6, Lee posted on his SNS, "A person who appears to be a supporter of Han Donghoon tried to slander me by inciting others to believe that I had followed a pornographic account," and released a photo. In the photo, a netizen commented, "You messed up. That's just like you," while sharing Lee's Instagram account along with a pornographic account labeled "Followed by Lee Junseok."

Instagram account posted by a netizen who claimed that Representative Lee Junseok followed a pornographic account. Lee Junseok Facebook

The netizen's claim that Lee followed a pornographic account is not true. On Instagram, the phrase "Followed by Lee Junseok" means that the pornographic account is following Lee's account, not the other way around.

Lee stated, "Using leftist-style propaganda tactics to attack me is just like that person. Normally, I would let it go, but since there was clear intent to spread this, I will take legal action," signaling a strong response. However, a few hours later, he revealed the handwritten letter of reflection he received from the netizen and said he would show leniency in this case.

Lee explained, "I received a tip that there were absurd rumors circulating on Instagram claiming I had followed a pornographic account. Upon checking, I found that supporters of a particular politician were continuously spreading this. When I announced legal action, one of the perpetrators sent a handwritten letter reflecting on their wrongdoing."

He added, "Taking this into consideration, I have decided to handle the matter with leniency. Criticizing a politician's views or actions is always possible," and warned, "However, do not stake your life on attacking someone based on unverified rumors circulating on the internet. Such actions ultimately lead to self-destruction."

A reflection letter written by a netizen who spread false information claiming that Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the Reform New Party, followed obscene accounts. Lee Jun-seok Facebook

The netizen who wrote the letter of reflection described themselves as "a student with a keen interest in politics" and explained that they had followed various politicians, and happened to see that the pornographic account was following Lee Junseok. They admitted that they mistakenly thought Lee was following the account and posted about it, seeking views without verifying the facts.

The netizen also apologized, saying they never imagined that a post made as a joke would cause such significant harm, and promised to verify facts in the future and not cause harm by spreading false information.