Yoon Seok-yeol X-File' Revenue Dispute... Co-author's Fraud Accusation, Result is a Reversal

According to the legal community on the 13th, the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office has reportedly dismissed charges against a former member of the progressive media outlet Open Sympathy TV (now The Exploration), author Kim, citing 'insufficient evidence'.

The case was triggered when the X-File, containing content about former President Yoon and his wife Kim Keon-hee, and mother-in-law Choi Eun-soon, was published in February 2022. The book, released just over a month before the presidential election, caused considerable stir in political circles, reaching number one on the bestseller list and creating a significant impact.

The problem arose after the book's success, with internal disputes over royalties amounting to hundreds of millions of won. The Exploration accused author Kim of secretly changing contract terms to embezzle approximately 54 million won in royalties and filed a fraud complaint in October 2023.

The Seoul Nowon Police recognized author Kim's intent and referred the case to the prosecution in January last year. However, the prosecution found that while the contract terms had indeed been changed, there was sufficient evidence of prior agreement between the parties, and did not acknowledge the fraud charge.

Author Kim's legal representative claimed, "It was revealed by the prosecution that it was an unreasonable accusation."