"Seventeen Years of Mocking Former President Roh: No More Tolerance... Son-in-law Takes Legal Action"

Assemblyman Kwak Holds Press Conference, Announces Plan for Criminal Complaint

"Former President Roh's Grandchildren Face Hateful Content Mocking Their Grandfather's Death"

Kwak Sangun, a member of the Democratic Party, has announced his intention to pursue criminal charges against those posting malicious falsehoods about the late former President Roh Moo-hyun.

On May 13, during a press conference at the National Assembly, Assemblyman Kwak stated, "Today, my wife and I are filing a criminal complaint for defamation of the deceased against those posting malicious falsehoods about the late President Roh." Assemblyman Kwak is the son-in-law of former President Roh. He added, "We are applying to the court for an injunction to require the deletion of, and prohibit the continued presence of, false, insulting, and hateful posts about the late President Roh on the internet and YouTube. Starting today, we will gradually initiate criminal complaints against the widespread hate content targeting President Roh Moo-hyun on the internet, and if necessary, we will also pursue civil lawsuits for damages."

Assemblyman Kwak explained, "I hesitated for a long time before deciding to file criminal charges, as bringing up the name of someone who has passed away could place them at the center of unnecessary controversy once again." However, he lamented, "It has already been 17 years since President Roh passed away, and yet, malicious hate content continues to spread on the internet—indeed, it is becoming more widespread, more deeply rooted, and increasingly malicious."

He further commented, "My children are confronted with hate content mocking the death of their grandfather through the internet, YouTube, and social media—even before they have a proper opportunity to learn at school who their grandfather was. This is not something that happened 17 years ago; it is something that happens anew every single day over the past 17 years," he lamented.

Assemblyman Kwak expressed his respect for freedom of expression, but also stated, "Spreading clear falsehoods as if they were true facts and mocking the suffering of the bereaved family is neither democracy nor freedom of expression."

He also called on platform operators, saying, "To DC Inside, Ilbe Storehouse, YouTube, and all other information and communications service providers: Your platforms have become spaces where mocking death has become normalized and playgrounds for the cultivation of hatred. You must bear the corresponding responsibility." He continued, "From today, through our legal counsel, my family will formally request the deletion and blocking of such posts on each platform. We ask for your prompt cooperation."