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U.S. professor questioned over alleged defamation of President Lee
Korean American professor Morse Tan has been questioned by Seoul police over allegations that he defamed President Lee Jae Myung by claiming Lee was involved in murder as a teenager. The questioning came after Tan missed an earlier scheduled session, citing media exposure concerns, and a court rejected his request to suspend a travel ban.
Korean American professor Morse Tan has been questioned by police in Seoul over allegations that he defamed President Lee Jae Myung by claiming Lee was involved in murder as a teenager. The two-hour private questioning session took place Thursday, according to Tan's lawyers, who said further questioning is "highly unlikely."
Coverage Comparison
The questioning followed a series of procedural developments. Tan was initially scheduled to appear at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Wednesday but did not show up. His lawyers released a notice at 10:20 a.m. that day asking for the session to be rescheduled, citing the police agency's alleged "violation" of its promise to take "personal information protection measures." The lawyers said the exterior of the police agency was crowded with journalists, supporters, and civic groups before Tan's scheduled attendance, despite his reported request to appear without media exposure.
Tan had previously failed to comply with police summonses after entering South Korea on May 28 to observe the June 3 local elections, according to Yonhap. Police requested a travel ban on the professor, and the justice ministry barred him from leaving the country until Tuesday. A request by Tan to suspend the exit ban was rejected by a court, and an appeal is underway.
Key Claims
Tan is accused of falsely claiming at a press conference in the United States last year that President Lee Jae Myung was involved in murder as a teenager and had been sent to a juvenile detention center for the crime.
Tan underwent a two-hour private questioning session on Thursday, according to his lawyers.
Tan's lawyers said they believe further questioning is highly unlikely.
Tan did not appear for a scheduled questioning session on Wednesday, citing his wish to be protected from media exposure.
Tan's lawyers said the police agency failed to honor its promise of personal information protection measures.
The justice ministry banned Tan from leaving the country until Tuesday after he failed to comply with an earlier police summons.
A court rejected Tan's request to suspend the exit ban; an appeal is underway.
Tan's associates plan to hold a press conference outside the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in southern Seoul to state their position on the investigation.
How this outlet told it
Yonhap News — English
Framing: Neutral — Objective
Facts Included:
Morse Tan questioned by police over alleged defamation of President Lee Jae Myung
Tan accused of falsely claiming Lee was involved in murder as a teenager
Tan underwent a two-hour private questioning session
Tan's lawyers believe further questioning is highly unlikely
Tan was barred from leaving the country until Tuesday
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimMorse Tan was questioned by police over alleged defamation of President Lee Jae Myung. Tan underwent a two-hour private questioning session.
ClaimMorse Tan is accused of falsely claiming that President Lee Jae Myung was involved in murder as a teenager and had been sent to a juvenile detention center for the crime.