Prosecutors have requested an arrest warrant for YouTuber Jeon Han-gil, who has been under investigation on charges of spreading false information targeting President Lee Jae-myung and Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok. After taking over the case that police sought, prosecutors themselves interviewed the suspect and determined that a pretrial detention was necessary.
The Human Rights Protection Department of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (headed by Chief Prosecutor Lee Si-jeon) said on the 14th that it requested an arrest warrant from the court for Jeon on charges of defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection and violating the Framework Act on Telecommunications. Prosecutors said Jeon repeatedly produced and spread false information, making the case serious, and saw risks of reoffending and flight. A prosecutor plans to appear in person at the warrant hearing to present the office's position.
Investigators believe Jeon broadcast claims on YouTube and elsewhere that President Lee had amassed a large slush fund and leaked military secrets to China, and also made false statements about Lee Jun-seok's academic background. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Criminal Mobile Unit first investigated Jeon and sought an arrest warrant, and prosecutors summoned Jeon the previous day for a pre-warrant inquiry.
Meanwhile, upon appearing before prosecutors, Jeon argued, "Seeking to detain someone who has lived without needing the law is political retaliation."