The prosecution dismissed a case against People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin, who was accused of defamation after raising allegations of 'official overseas travel' against Kim Jung-sook, the wife of former President Moon Jae-in.
According to the legal community on the 12th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Criminal Division 2, led by Director General Jo Ah-ra, made a decision to dismiss the case filed by Kim against lawmaker Bae for defamation last June earlier this month.
The prosecution noted, 'Lawmaker Bae raised allegations about a public figure based on materials from related agencies, and it was determined that this fell under comments or evaluations difficult to recognize as defamation in legal terms, leading to this decision.'
Previously, the prosecution also stated it had dismissed a case against Kim regarding allegations of abuse of authority and embezzlement related to the same issue.
The prosecution determined that Kim's solo visit to India could not simply be considered an official overseas trip, and that all procedures, including reviews by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance during the budget preparation process of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, were legally complied with.
Lawmaker Bae raised allegations in May of last year that Kim's trip to the Taj Mahal constituted embezzlement and abuse of authority after former President Moon published his memoir. Bae stated that Moon claimed in his memoir that Kim's visit to India in November 2018 was 'the first solo diplomacy of the first lady,' adding, 'There is no budget for the first lady's diplomatic trips,' and noted that 'the Blue House should have used auxiliary or other budgets, but the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism applied for the advance budget, which was approved in just three days.'