“Guys, is this a country?” Applying to be a witness “Ilgal” [현장영상]

2024-09-24 05:27:36

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Newstapa goes on trial for first time for defaming President Yoon

September 24, 2024, Seoul Central District Court

[김용진/뉴스타파 대표]

“I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the so-called ‘President Yoon Seok-yeol’s defamation case.’ I also want to express my gratitude to the viewers who are interested in the ‘President Yoon Seok-yeol’s defamation case.'” The “Yeol defamation case” starts today, and this case started a year ago Before, it was originally called the “Presidential Election Interference and Public Opinion Manipulation Case”, which was the name given to it by the prosecutors. Now, a year later, the prosecutors may realize how ridiculous their name was.

All in all, this case has now been dubbed the “Yoon Seok-yeol defamation case,” right? However, as we begin the trial today, Newstapa and I would like to name the case “Newstapa v. Seok-yeol Yoon.” As we all know, there was the “New York Times and Sullivan incident” in the past. I thought this might be a similar incident to that one.

We hope that through this trial, we will put an end to the wrong practice of political prosecutors to suppress critical media and suppress the people’s right to know for political purposes. We are trying to put an end to this behavior through this experiment.

Now, let me say a few words before today’s first trial. As you heard as you entered the courtroom now, today the defendants and their defense attorneys want to call President Yoon Seok-yeol to testify. I don’t recall a sitting president being asked to testify, right? So today I asked President Yoon Seok-yeol to be a witness.

The reason is simple. The prosecution identified the victim in this case as South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol. But we don’t know what damage President Yoon Seok-yeol suffered. Because I didn’t tell the story. You need to tell in your own words how you have been harmed by our reporting. Only in this way can this trial be established. Correct?

Next, the core of this case is the Busan Savings Bank corruption case. It is very important to meet the role of a mortgage broker. The person who knows the situation best is Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol, who served as the chief prosecutor of the case at the Central Investigation Department of the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office in 2011 and the second section chief of the Central Investigation Division. That person needs to speak out. Correct? Therefore, we are applying for President Yoon Seok-yeol to be a witness.

(syncopated)

We are all journalists, just like you. Now, which country in the developed world would oppress like this those who report criticism of those in power? None of you are banned from leaving the country, right? They were banned from leaving the country for reporting criticism of those in power, and their entire communications history was revealed. Next, they steal all the messaging user information of the person we’re talking to. On January 4 and 5 alone, there were about 3,600 cases. How many cases is 3,100? That’s a lot more than last year. Now, as a journalist, what can you do in a world like this and in a country like this?

(syncopated)

On June 5, I went to the anti-corruption investigation section of the Seoul District Prosecutor’s Office next door to conduct an investigation. Before the investigation, I told a reporter a story. When will Mr. Jin Jianxi come to this prosecutor’s office, this court, this legal town? When will that person come? It’s been 4 months. I’m not asking you. I asked the prosecutor. Please share these issues with the prosecution and then with the public. When will he come?

Now, you all know. They said they were under investigation somewhere. Is this an investigation? They called the prosecutor to a location of their choice and confiscated the prosecutor’s cell phone. How is this an investigation? Then they quietly announced the acquittal. Now, is this a country? So, where do you go to play at night these days? Where are you going to patrol? Which country is this? He walks around at night pretending to be the president. Well, that’s all I have to tell you today…”

※ Reference article: Arrested for “slandering President Yoon”… How about a media company being investigated for “violating press freedom”?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pwnn8km6jo

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