YouTuber Jeon Hangil questioned by police over alleged defamation of President Lee: "A politically retaliatory and unreasonable complaint"

[Financial News] Police have summoned YouTuber and former Korean history instructor Jeon Hangil as a suspect for initial questioning on charges of defaming President Lee Jae-myung. Jeon argued that he is the victim of a politically retaliatory complaint and insisted there is no risk of flight or evidence tampering.
The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) announced that at 10 a.m. on the 12th it summoned Jeon to Seoul Dongjak Police Station for questioning on charges including defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.
Speaking to reporters in front of Exit 1 of Noryangjin Station before heading to the police, Jeon claimed, "This complaint was filed because the president did not like what he heard and wanted retaliation," adding, "On its face, it is an excessive complaint and a form of political pressure. It is tantamount to telling the public not to know the truth or criticize President Lee."
He continued, "I came to the police voluntarily, so there is no risk of flight. I have even been invited to the White House, but why would someone who says the Korea–U.S. alliance must be strengthened flee to the United States?" He added, "All the material related to the investigation has already been posted on 'Jeon Hangil News,' so there is no concern about evidence tampering either." Risk of flight and evidence destruction are key factors courts consider when deciding whether to issue an arrest warrant.
At the scene, large numbers of Jeon’s supporters, including members of the "Freedom Hangil Group," gathered, chanting slogans such as "eradicate election fraud," singing the national anthem, and shouting Jeon’s name.
Previously, in October and November last year, the Democratic Party of Korea filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Jeon on charges including defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act. The move came after Jeon, in YouTube videos, raised allegations that President Lee had secret funds in Singapore and an out-of-wedlock child, and made remarks such as that he "should be tied up on top of Namsan," which were deemed threatening. He was also accused for saying that Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok received free polling services from Myeong Tae-gyun, and for claiming that the testimony of former Special Warfare Commander Gwak Jong-geun was distorted after being coaxed by Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Byung-joo and Park Sun-won.
That day, Jeon countered, "Even Maduro has a bounty on his head and gets arrested, and in the same vein I merely reported, as a joke, something to laugh about—that 'if you put up a 100,000-dollar bounty and tie Lee Jae-myung to Namsan, many people would take part.'" Regarding the secret-funds allegation, he said, "I was quoting what had already been reported by U.S. media." On his claim that former commander Gwak’s testimony was tainted, he stated, "I determined that the video showing the two lawmakers meeting and coaxing former commander Gwak had been fabricated using artificial intelligence (AI), and I pointed out it was fake in the public interest."
Jeon has faced a total of eight complaints, and some of them have reportedly been closed with findings of no charge.
psh@fnnews.com Reporter Park Sung-hyun Reporter