Patriotic right-wing civic group members who have campaigned against the removal of statues in front of the Japanese Embassy are being hit with a series of arrests and indictments following remarks by Lee Jae-myung. From the left: Representatives Kim Byeong-heon, Han Min-ho, Lee Woo-yeon, Joo Ok-soon, and Kim Sang-jin.

As police and prosecutors have launched comprehensive indictments against members of patriotic right-wing civic groups who have been calling for the "removal of the comfort woman statue (statue of a girl)" in front of the Japanese Embassy in Jongno and other locations since 2019, suspicions of a "politically targeted investigation" are intensifying.

In particular, it has been confirmed that cases that had been drifting for years—either closed as "no charges" or undergoing supplementary investigations directed by the prosecution—gained rapid momentum toward arrests, non-custodial indictments, and summary indictments immediately following strong criticism from Lee Jae-myung early this year.

From "No Charges" Ping-Pong to "Rapid Progress" After Lee Jae-myung's Remark

According to testimonies and related records from civic group members, figures including Kim Byeong-heon, head of the Korean History Textbook Research Institute; Han Min-ho, head of the movement to reveal the reality of Confucius Institutes; Dr. Lee Woo-yeon; Joo Ok-soon, head of the Republic of Korea Mom's Unit TV; and Kim Sang-jin, head of the New Freedom Coalition, have been campaigning against the removal of the statues in Anguk-dong, Jongno, and in front of the Japanese Embassy since 2019.

Kim Byeong-heon, head of the Korean History Textbook Research Institute [Photo = Kim Byeong-heon Facebook]

During this process, numerous complaints and accusations were filed by opposing groups such as the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Jeonguiyeon). However, the initial flow of police investigations remained consistent. The individuals explained that during the police station stage, "it was repeated that they were released with no charges without even being indicted."

Even when the prosecution returned the cases saying "investigate again," the police maintained their "no charges" opinion, leaving the cases in a prolonged state of stalemate.

However, the tide shifted 180 degrees after Lee Jae-myung publicly criticized Kim Byeong-heon, using extreme language such as "this brainless..." and "inhumane," stating that "a beast that harms people must be isolated."

An insider who requested anonymity revealed, "Immediately after President Lee Jae-myung's remarks were made, the sluggish investigation gained rapid momentum," adding, "It eventually led to the arrest and indictment of Director Kim Byeong-heon, who had previously been cleared of charges, on defamation charges."

He raised suspicions about whether this was a reward for an "excessive, targeted investigation," stating, "I am even aware that the police officers in charge of the investigation subsequently received 30 million won in reward money."

Indeed, according to Yonhap News on June 11, "Three people, including Inspector Im Jin-woo of the Seoul Seocho Police Station, received 10 million won in reward money after sending Kim Byeong-heon, representative of the National Action for the Abolition of the Comfort Women Act, to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office under arrest in March."

"Non-custodial" and "Summary Indictment" Bombardment... Fines of 2 to 3 Million Won

Following Director Kim Byeong-heon’s arrest, "legal actions" were taken in succession against other participants who had not previously faced significant legal issues.

The prosecution recently issued non-custodial indictments against key participants such as Representatives Joo Ok-soon and Kim Sang-jin, and summary indictments (gu-yak-sik) against others, including Representative Han Min-ho and Dr. Lee Woo-yeon. It has been confirmed that the requested fines in the summary indictments range from 2 to 3 million won.

A "summary indictment" is a procedure where the prosecution requests the court to impose a fine through a document review instead of a formal trial. While the court's final judgment (summary order) has not yet been issued, the defendants are protesting, claiming these measures by the prosecution are clear "gag-order indictments."

"Is Criticizing Comfort Women/Jeonguiyeon Defamation? Truthful Reporting and Public Interest Cannot Be Punished"

The accused parties and members of the legal community argue that these indictments ignore the fundamental principles of criminal law.

Under current Korean criminal law, in the case of "defamation by disclosure of facts," if the disclosed facts are demonstrably true and intended for the public interest, the act is considered non-punishable because its illegality is excused.

The movement for the removal of the statues argued, "Just as a removal order was issued (for the statue) in Germany, our criticism regarding the massive profits taken by the statue's sculptor and the fund management issues of Jeonguiyeon and the Korean Council is clearly for the public interest."

They also pointed out that "defamation of the deceased," one of the grounds for the accusations, is a "stretch, attempting to punish historical facts and the raising of public interest suspicions as defamation."

"Will Demand a Formal Trial Once Court Judgment Is Out"... Will It Boomerang on Lee Jae-myung?

The civic group members who received summary indictments intend to immediately request a "formal trial" as soon as the court's summary order is delivered to fight for their innocence in court.

They stated, "The court's judgment has not yet been made, but if the court orders a fine, we will request a formal trial (within 7 days) and fight to the end."

Furthermore, they warned that they would hold Lee Jae-myung, whose remarks changed the flow of the investigation at the time, legally and politically accountable. The members emphasized, "That was not something a president of the Republic of Korea should say," adding, "He will surely have to pay the price for those remarks later."

Reporter Im Yo-hee