[‘\n Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, suggested on the 29th to convert the defamation charge to a “friendly accusation” charge, which requires a complaint from the victim to enable criminal punishment. This is interpreted in response to recent allegations that presidential personnel through civic organizations compelled government criticism media to be reported.’,
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Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attending a top committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the morning of the 27th./News1,
, ‘ On this day, he argued on Facebook that “defamation charges are being abused for media oppression and political dusting,” while emphasizing the need to convert to friendly accusation charges. Under the current law, defamation charges can be investigated through allegations from third parties other than the victim.’,
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, ‘Previously, Hankyoreh and Newstapa released phone call transcripts between Kim Daenam, former head of the presidential office’s citizen communication office, and Lee Myeong-soo, a journalist at Seoul’s Voice in April, raising suspicions of the presidential office’s “compelled reporting.” In the transcripts, Kim, the former official, was heard suggesting using conservative civic groups to report critical media outlets to the administration.’,
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, ‘Jo Seung-rae, the Democratic Party’s chief spokesperson, also mentioned the need for institutional improvements at a briefing that day.’,
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, ‘Chief spokesperson Jo remarked, “Is compelled reporting a monopoly of the Yoon Suk-yeol government? There is no way to stop criticism against President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, so it is a method of using complaints and grievances as a monopoly and then shutting mouths with state power.”‘,
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, ‘Later, at a meeting with reporters, he argued, “Defamation (complaints) by third parties was originally a system to protect those without power,” and said, “However, it is unacceptable for those in power to abuse this system.”‘,
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