Not in crystal ball: S. Korea’s presidential office sues over claims of Yoon’s links with fortune-teller

SEOUL - South Korea’s presidential office said on Friday that it has filed a complaint against a former spokesman for the Defence Ministry alleged to have made false claims about a fortune teller’s involvement in the relocation of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s residence.

The presidential office also sued two reporters from News Tomato and Hankook Ilbo for writing about the former spokesman’s claim without fact checking.

The main opposition Democratic Party suspects Mr Yoon had ties with the fortune teller.

Defamatory libel is a criminal offence in South Korea. It is the first time that the presidential office is seeking criminal charges against journalists since Mr Yoon took office in May 2022.

The decision was made after a book was published by Mr Boo Seung-chan, the former Defence Ministry spokesman. In the book, he claimed that the fortune teller, known as Cheongong, was involved when Mr Yoon was considering locations for his presidential residence and office in March 2022.

“Fake news continues to circulate, and Boo and two reporters published (false claims) of the book without verifying the facts,” the presidential office said, calling the claim of Cheongong’s involvement a groundless rumour.

“Anyone can raise suspicions as long as they are based on fair and reasonable evidence. However, whoever raises a suspicion should be able to verify the facts with evidence and witnesses.”

The relocation of the presidential office to Yongsan was part of Mr Yoon’s campaign promises. In the face of criticism from his predecessor Moon Jae-in and the opposition party, Mr Yoon pushed for the relocation of the presidential office and opened Cheong Wa Dae, where both the office and residence for the president had long been, to the public. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK