Prosecution Requests Arrest Warrant for Han Hangil over Spreading False Information about President Lee

On April 14, prosecutors requested an arrest warrant for Han Hangil (real name: Han Yugwan), a YouTuber and former Korean history instructor, on charges of defaming President Lee Jaemyung and Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party.

The Human Rights Protection Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (headed by Chief Prosecutor Lee Sijun) announced on the same day that it had applied for a pretrial detention warrant for Han on charges of defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, as well as violating the Framework Act on Telecommunications.

Former Korean history instructor Han Hangil is speaking as he enters the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Criminal Mobile Unit in Dongjak-gu on the 27th to be investigated as a suspect. Photo by Yonhap News

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Han is accused of making statements such as "President Lee Jaemyung has an illegitimate child" and threatening remarks directed at President Lee. More recently, on his YouTube channel, Han, together with Choi Suyong, claimed that President Lee was preparing to go into exile in China by amassing slush funds overseas.

In addition, Han allegedly made statements about Lee Junseok, claiming "He was elected in the 2024 general election through illicit means" and raising suspicions of academic fraud by questioning the validity of Lee's diploma.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Major Crime Investigation Unit requested an arrest warrant for Han on April 10. On the previous day (April 13), prosecutors summoned Han as a suspect and conducted a pre-warrant investigation.

Before appearing for questioning that day, Han addressed his supporters gathered in front of the prosecutors' office, stating, "Such excessive complaints and accusations against Han Hangil are acts of political retaliation. The arrest of Han Hangil signals the downfall of the Lee Jaemyung administration," adding, "If you can handle it, go ahead and arrest me."

Han also made remarks involving the United States, saying, "Due to the ongoing war between the U.S. and Iran, my invitation to the White House has been postponed to May. If you arrest Han Hangil, who is scheduled to visit the White House, do you think you can handle the consequences?"-openly attempting to pressure the Korean judicial authorities by referencing the United States.

The Human Rights Protection Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated, "Following the pre-arrest interview with the suspect, we found the charges to be substantiated. The gravity of the matter is significant, given the repeated creation and dissemination of fake news, and there are concerns about repeat offenses and flight risk. Therefore, a prosecutor will personally attend the warrant review hearing to present our position."

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