Mos Tan, a professor at Liberty University in the United States [Yonhap]
Mos Tan, a professor at Liberty University in the United States [Yonhap]

Police have questioned Mos Tan (Korean name Dan Hyeon-myeong), a Liberty University professor in the United States, on suspicion of defaming President Lee Jae-myung, it emerged Friday.

Tan's attorney announced Friday that Tan had appeared at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's cyber investigation unit in Jongno-gu on Thursday morning and underwent about two hours of questioning as a suspect, beginning at 10 a.m., according to Yonhap News Agency.

"The investigation was conducted in a question-and-answer format, and our legal position was sufficiently conveyed through the written opinion already submitted," the attorney said, adding that further questioning was unlikely. Tan had originally been scheduled for questioning on June 24 but declined to appear, citing concerns about media exposure, and filed a request to reschedule.

Tan faces charges stemming from statements he made at press conferences and other events in the United States last year, in which he alleged that President Lee had been sent to a juvenile detention facility as a teenager in connection with a murder case.

After Tan entered the country on May 28 and failed to comply with summons, police requested a travel ban from the Ministry of Justice, which imposed a ban on his departure through June 30.

Unless the ban is extended, Tan will be free to leave the country starting in July.

His attorney said the defense would take legal action if the travel ban is extended.


husn7@heraldcorp.com