Jeon Hangil Appears for Detention Hearing on 'Defamation of President Lee' Charges: "Unrelated to Crime"

Detention Decision Expected as Early as This Afternoon

YouTuber Jeon Hangil (56, real name Jeon Yugwan), who is accused of defaming President Lee Jaemyung and Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, appeared for a pretrial detention hearing (warrant review) at the court.

At 10:30 a.m. on April 16, Chief Judge Kim Jinman, who is in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, began a warrant review for Jeon, who faces charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act and violation of the Framework Act on Telecommunications.

After arriving at the court at around 10:03 a.m., Jeon told reporters, "I have lived without breaking the law for 55 years and have no criminal record, but since the Lee Jaemyung administration took office, I have found myself at the police station and the court."

Since last year, Jeon has broadcast claims on YouTube alleging that President Lee created a 160 trillion won slush fund and raised false allegations regarding the private life of Kim Hyunji, the First Secretary to the President. He is also accused of falsely claiming that Lee Junseok, the party leader, did not double major in economics at Harvard University in the United States.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Major Crimes Investigation Unit summoned Jeon three times for questioning since last month, after which it requested an arrest warrant. The prosecution also determined that the case was serious and there was a risk of repeat offenses, and therefore applied for a warrant on April 14.

The decision on whether Jeon will be detained is expected as early as this afternoon.

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