Mostan's first trial for 'defamation of President Lee'... “Korea has no jurisdiction”

“There is no purpose to recognize false facts or slander”… Indictment dismissed, not guilty claimed

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Bitna Kim = Former Liberty University professor Mos Tan (Korean name Dan Hyun-myeong), who was sent to trial on charges of defaming President Lee Jae-myung, appealed the unfairness of filing the indictment in the first trial, saying that Korea had no jurisdiction.

On the 16th, Judge Heo Seo-yoon of the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 17 held the first trial for former Professor Tan, who was indicted on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act and defamation under the Criminal Act.

Former Professor Tan is accused of spreading false information at a press conference held in Washington, D.C. last year, saying, "President Lee was involved in a gang rape and murder case when he was a teenager and was imprisoned in a juvenile detention center."

The defense attorney sought dismissal of the indictment, arguing that the Korean court does not have jurisdiction, citing the fact that former Professor Tan, a U.S. citizen, made problematic remarks in the United States.

He then emphasized, “Even if jurisdiction was recognized, it did not state false facts, and there was no perception that it was false,” and “there was no purpose to slander.”

Former Professor Tan, who introduced himself as a social activist, also said, "I plead not guilty to the indictment," and added, "I believe the information regarding President Lee is true."

Even after finishing the trial, former professor Tan said, "It is unfair for me, as an American citizen, to experience something like this in a Korean court," and insisted, "If you believe it to be true or speak the truth, you should be guaranteed freedom of expression."

Former Professor Tan was suspended from leaving the country for failing to comply with the police's request to appear while investigating this case, and is facing his first trial in the appellate court after losing the first administrative lawsuit filed against him.