Prosecution Seeks Fine in Appeal for Sungshik Shin over 'Han Donghoon Media-Prosecution Collusion False Report'

KBS Reporter Faces One-Year Prison Sentence Sought by Prosecutors

The prosecution has requested a fine in the appellate trial for Sungshik Shin, former chief prosecutor, who was indicted for defamation of former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon by providing false information to a broadcasting company.

Sungshik Shin, former prosecutor general. Photo by Yonhap News

At the appeal hearing held on April 14 in the Criminal Appellate Division 3-1 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judges Jang Yunseon, Cho Gyuseol, and Yoo Hwanwoo), the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office requested that the court overturn the first trial’s ruling and sentence Shin to a 10 million won fine and the KBS reporter Lee to one year in prison for defamation by publication and other charges.

Shin was indicted on charges of providing false information to KBS reporters in 2020, when he was the third deputy chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, regarding the alleged collusion between the media and the prosecution involving former Channel A reporter Lee Dongjae and former party leader Han Donghoon.

At that time, KBS reported, based on this information, that the two had allegedly conspired to raise suspicions that former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Chairman Rhyu Si-min was involved in the Shillajen stock manipulation case, citing an obtained transcript. However, after Lee Dongjae released the original transcript, KBS acknowledged the report was false and issued an apology just one day after the broadcast.

In the first trial, the court acquitted both Shin and Lee, stating, "It does not appear that the defendants made their statements knowing they were false, and it is also difficult to recognize any intent to defame."

The appellate court’s ruling is scheduled for 2 p.m. on May 7.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.