Outside experts recommend probe into journalist, end probe on prosecutor

[수친구]

Lee Dong-jae. Yonhap

A panel of outside experts on Friday recommended that the probe into the journalist in a suspected case of collusion with a prosecutor be continued, while ending the investigation into the prosecutor connected to the case.

Lee Dong-jae, formerly a journalist for Channel A, and senior prosecutor Han Dong-hoon are alleged to have colluded to frame a leading liberal figure for corruption.

The high-profile case has drawn much public attention for driving Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl to lock horns over the fairness of the ongoing investigation that involves Yoon’s close associate, prosecutor Han Dong-hoon.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office has been investigating suspicions that former Channel A reporter Lee threatened Lee Cheol, the jailed former head of investment firm Value Investment Korea, to get information linking Rhyu Si-min to corruption. Rhyu is a liberal pundit with close ties to the Moon Jae-in administration.

The committee of 15 outside experts, randomly selected by the prosecution from its list of 150 professionals from various fields, examined written opinions submitted by the investigation team of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, the reporter, the former head of the investment firm and the senior prosecutor. The group also was able to hear arguments from them.

The former journalist allegedly sent five letters to the businessman in February and March this year, claiming that if Lee Cheol did not comply in supplying condemning information on Rhyu, he could see to it that the prison term be extended.

The prosecution suspected that senior prosecutor Han was collaborating with the reporter to bring a false charge against Rhyu.

On July 17, the Seoul Central District Court issued a warrant to arrest the reporter on attempted extortion, citing substantial data for suspicion that “the suspect linked up with a high-ranking prosecutor to threaten the victim in order to achieve his certain goal for news coverage.”



By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)

[수친구]

Han Dong-hoon are alleged to have colluded to frame a leading liberal figure for corruption.
한동훈 의원은 진보 진영의 유력 인사를 비리로 엮기 위해 공모했다는 의혹을 받고 있다.
a leading liberal figure 진보 진영의 유력 인사
lock horns (with somebody) (over something)(~을 두고) (~와) 대립하다[다투다]

[수친구]

The former journalist allegedly sent five letters to the businessman in February and March this year, claiming that if Lee Cheol did not comply in supplying condemning information on Rhyu, he could see to it that the prison term be extended.
전 기자는 올해 2월과 3월 사업가에게 5통의 편지를 보내 "이철씨가 유씨에 대한 비난 정보를 제공하는데 응하지 않을 경우 형기가 연장되는 것을 볼 수 있다"고 주장한 것으로 알려졌다.
extortion [ikstɔ́ːrʃən]
뜻① 강청 ② 착취 ③ 강탈
practice extortion 강청하다, 강탈을 일삼다.