Handonghun's Side: "KBS 'Channel A False Report' Confirmed by Shin Seongsik"... Submitted Opinion to Prosecution

by Jeong Donghoon

Published 14 Dec.2020 15:28(KST)

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon identified Shin Sung-sik, Chief of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (Prosecutor General), as the prosecutor who confirmed the false report in KBS's 'Channel A False Report' incident.

On the 14th, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office stated, "Recently, the complainant in this case submitted a statement specifying the accused 'unknown person' as Prosecutor General Shin Sung-sik."

In July, KBS reported on a recorded conversation between Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon and former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae. KBS claimed the recording contained evidence of a conspiracy to raise suspicions of stock manipulation involving Yoo Si-min, director of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, stating, "Prosecutor Han said, 'Director Yoo has retired from politics,' and 'Even if investigated, the political burden is not significant,' and it was confirmed that there was also discussion about the timing of the report ahead of the general election."

In response, Prosecutor Han filed a defamation lawsuit with the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office against KBS reporters and investigative agency officials who provided false information, stating, "It is a fabrication and fiction as if a conversation that never actually took place was made up." KBS also acknowledged the false report, saying, "Some unverified facts were expressed definitively."

Subsequently, suspicions arose that the report was based on false tips. Prosecutor Han's side identified Prosecutor General Shin Sung-sik as the informant. At the time of the KBS report, Prosecutor Shin was serving as the 3rd Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. It is known that Prosecutor Han's side plans to soon submit an additional complaint to the prosecution naming Prosecutor Shin as the accused.