▲ President Lee Jae-myung delivers a commemorative address at the 81st National Police Day ceremony held at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on October 21.
It has been learned that President Lee Jae-myung has expressed his wish not to seek punishment for writer Rhyu Si-min, a pan-ruling camp commentator who is currently under police investigation for alleged defamation against the president.
Cheong Wa Dae plans to convey President Lee's intention not to seek punishment to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, which has jurisdiction over the case, in the near future.
Appearing on the Media Today YouTube channel on September 22, Rhyu criticized the president, saying, "The prosecution reform President Lee had in mind was completely different from the prosecution reform we envisioned, the stance of the Democratic Party of Korea, and what was described as the president's campaign pledges," adding, "The president has deceived the public until now."
Referring to President Lee's remarks at a press conference to the effect that 'the maximum extent of prosecution reform was to separate the investigative body and the indicting body within the Ministry of Justice,' Rhyu also stated, "I have never heard such a thing even once."
In response, the civic group Citizens' Action to Correct Judicial Justice filed a complaint against Rhyu with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on charges of defamation by stating false facts under the Information and Communications Network Act.
Because defamation is an offense that cannot be punished against the victim's explicitly expressed will, the investigation into Rhyu is expected to be closed once President Lee's intention is officially delivered to the police.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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