Civic group leader questioned as complainant in defamation, obstruction case
![Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/08/ams.V01.photo.HDN.P.20210417.202104170000002376987744_P1.jpg)
By Kim Do-yoon, The Herald Business
Police have begun investigating a complaint filed against former MBC journalist Jang In-su and broadcaster Kim Eo-jun over allegations that they spread false claims about a so-called "charge-dismissal deal," summoning the civic group leader who filed the complaint for questioning.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit called in Kim Han-me, head of the progressive civic group Sabeop Jeongui Baroseugi Simin Haengdong — known by its Korean acronym Saesaeng — for questioning Monday afternoon as the complainant in the case.
Kim filed the complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on March 12, accusing Jang and Kim Eo-jun of defamation through the posting of false information under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, as well as obstruction of business through fraudulent means under the Criminal Act.
Before the questioning, Kim held a press conference and alleged that Jang had deliberately spread false information to defame Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho, despite the facts being easily verifiable with minimal effort. Kim said Jang had claimed the justice minister struck a deal with prosecutors — trading the withdrawal of criminal charges against President Lee Jae Myung in exchange for sacrificing and obstructing prosecution reform, which Kim described as a long-held public demand.
Kim also took aim at Kim Eo-jun, saying he had long stirred controversy with inflammatory remarks and conspiracy theories, and that he had allowed Jang to appear on his broadcast knowing in advance what Jang intended to say, effectively condoning and facilitating the statements.
The controversy stems from a March 9 appearance by Jang on Kim Eo-jun's YouTube program "Kim Eo-jun's Humility Is Hard News Factory," in which Jang alleged that a close aide to President Lee and a senior government official had sent text messages to prosecutors proposing a deal: the dismissal of criminal charges against the president in exchange for preserving the prosecution's supplementary investigative authority.
Saesaeng has argued that the remarks damaged the reputation of Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho.
Separately, Saesaeng has also filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae on charges of obstruction of business through fraudulent means, in connection with the party's decision to ban the use of photos and videos of President Lee taken before his inauguration during the candidate primary process for the June 3 local elections. The complainant questioning in that case is scheduled to take place Thursday at the Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station.
kido@heraldcorp.com
