Morse Tan, former Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, who is currently unable to return home due to an exit ban imposed by South Korean authorities, held an exclusive interview with Lindell TV on Thursday the 9th.

Opening the interview, host Vanessa Broussard told former Ambassador Tan, "You are now a target of a criminal investigation and have been prohibited from leaving the country due to a travel ban imposed by the (South Korean) government."

Former Ambassador Tan expressed his utter astonishment that such measures were taken based on remarks he had made at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

He stated, "It is a truly bizarre situation for a U.S. citizen to be unable to return to the United States simply because of something they said," adding, "Speech by a U.S. citizen on U.S. soil is protected by the U.S. Constitution, and the First Amendment guarantees freedom of expression. Therefore, this is not only a shocking event, but it also demonstrates that the rule of law in South Korea has collapsed and that an anti-people regime is in power."

Former Ambassador Tan described the current situation as "lawfare," arguing that it is a legal battle designed to weaponize the law for an offensive purpose.

He emphasized that the matter should be handled by U.S. courts rather than falling under the jurisdiction of South Korean courts, noting that his remarks align with international standards under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He also argued that his statements are protected under South Korean legal standards because they are "true, believed to be true, and serve the public interest." He explained that the case is "wrong in terms of jurisdiction, procedure, and substance."

The shock is particularly significant given that former Ambassador Tan served as an ambassador during the first Trump administration.

Former Ambassador Tan added, "This is an issue that arises within the context of the alliance that should exist between South Korea and the United States, which makes it all the more regrettable."

Broussard asked, "It feels as though you have been trapped in a snare. Do you feel the same way?"

Former Ambassador Tan replied, "Because I have been speaking out against their injustices, they are looking for a pretext to do such things. I have been speaking out against their lies. I have been speaking out against the communization of South Korea. I have been speaking out against the increasingly dictatorial regime in South Korea."

He added, "This is lawfare. It is a political attempt to attack someone who is trying to improve the situation in South Korea and help it become a constitutional democracy and a representative democracy that truly reflects the will of the people. This is a very dangerous escalation with concerning implications for the U.S.-ROK alliance."

When asked if he had received any contact from the U.S. State Department, former Ambassador Tan replied, "I am aware that there are people at the State Department who have been in conversation with South Korean government officials."

He also noted, "I know that several high-ranking officials at the State Department are aware of this situation and that there are attempts to resolve it, though most of these matters are being handled privately."

Broussard pointed out that protests in South Korea were sparked by elections perceived as fraudulent and asked if there were any updates.

Former Ambassador Tan said that, "sadly," this situation has been ongoing for 24 years. He stated, "The current National Assembly is dominated by an overwhelming supermajority, and the president in power was not elected by the people; the public is demanding his resignation. Over 500,000 people are calling for his resignation, arguing that if he does not resign, he must be impeached and removed from office."

Former Ambassador Tan pointed out, "The left-wing made a huge scene when 200,000 signatures were gathered, but now there are more than double that number. This is clearly a double standard."

Former Ambassador Tan stated that most National Assembly members are "not representatives elected by the people," adding, "Now they have secured an overwhelming majority that allows them to change the constitution at will. They can pass oppressive laws as they please."

Comparing the situation in South Korea to the United States, he explained: "Imagine if in the United States, President Trump were sentenced to life in prison plus three additional sentences, and all his top leaders, cabinet members, and high-ranking military commanders were all locked in prison. And in our scenario, imagine that two countries adjacent to the U.S.─presumably Canada and Mexico─had turned communist and were attempting to establish a communist regime. Meanwhile, radical left-wing forces in the U.S. have secured a supermajority in Congress, taken over the White House, and a significant number of judges are leaning in the same direction, attempting to communize the United States. Essentially, the government would collapse and head toward a communist dictatorship. And that is the reality of South Korea."

Former Ambassador Tan added that the South Korean citizens who protest daily are desperately asking the U.S. for help, "because they believe the South Korean government is collapsing, and they see no other escape than the United States. About 90% of Koreans view the U.S. as their most important ally."

He conveyed that the South Korean people "are fighting desperately and doing their best in a very difficult situation where the Chinese Communist Party and North Korea are trying to take over the country and turn it communist, making it like North Korea."

Former Ambassador Tan pointed out, "The CCP already thinks they have won. They believe they have already taken over South Korea, just as they took over Hong Kong. South Korea does not want to become a second Hong Kong."

Former Ambassador Tan noted that while there were many good things in the early days of the Trump administration, "the unfortunate thing is that we were unable to prevent Hong Kong from falling into the clutches of the CCP." He added, "The pattern is the same, the tactics are the same, and the strategy is the same. And South Korea is now feeling suffocated because they have realized they are at risk of becoming like Hong Kong or Venezuela."

Broussard shared emails she received from South Koreans, conveying the situation in South Korea in more depth, noting that freedom of the press, speech, and religion are being suppressed. Former Ambassador Tan elaborated, "Basic rights and freedoms have been almost completely destroyed, and the laws currently being passed are destroying them."

Former Ambassador Tan stated, "When you hear the term 'Democratic Party' in this context, think of extreme socialists/communists. Then you will know better who they are talking about. And within South Korea, it appears there has been significant elite capture by the Chinese Communist Party."

He reported, "While agents, spies, and operatives of the CCP and North Korea are active in South Korea, the South Korean government has effectively abolished its counter-intelligence activities and decided to provide batons instead of guns to the soldiers guarding the border with North Korea."

He further explained, "According to a recently passed law, any statement made about the fake, illegal president, Lee Jae-myung, can be considered hate speech and lead to punishment. They are also targeting U.S. companies. Coupang has been a target. Starbucks has been the subject of intensive criticism. They are trying to rewrite history and create their own narrative, and anyone who disagrees is subject to prosecution. Consequently, various key leaders in South Korea are being indicted and imprisoned."

Former Ambassador Tan assessed, "The situation is very serious, and we are in real danger of losing South Korea, a key ally in the region, to communist forces."

Broussard mentioned that a similar situation is occurring in the United States, saying, "I cannot accept communism coming into our country, and I cannot accept communists holding public office in the U.S. We are right on the threshold of communism on our own soil."

Observing the situation in South Korea, she said, "I hope the American people wake up, because this can happen to us, too."

Former Ambassador Tan stated, "I am very grateful that we have President Trump, who is strongly opposed to communism. I believe he has spent his whole life preparing to fight communists. Whether it is in the United States, the Western Hemisphere, the Chinese Communist Party, or North Korea, the President is someone who is very clearly aware of the mission before him. And I am very grateful for that."

He added, "Our country has a Secretary of State whose family is from communist Cuba; he knows well what it was like for his family to live under a communist system. So, he understands that contrast and is fighting against it. That is why I am very grateful that Secretary Rubio is the Secretary of State."

Former Ambassador Tan mentioned that the Trump administration had taken excellent actions regarding Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran, and that the front line for dealing with the CCP would now move to Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula, saying, "I expect the Trump administration will eventually focus even more directly on what the CCP is doing within its own territory."

Tan: “Situation in South Korea is like Hong Kong falling to the CCP… feeling suffocated”

Even amidst these remarks, former Ambassador Tan mentioned a hopeful future.

"If that day comes, I hope the Korean Peninsula issue will be resolved in a way that prevents South Korea from being swallowed by communists. And above all, it would be fantastic if the situation were reversed and the Korean Peninsula could be unified under a constitutional republic based on representative democracy—a free-market system that opposes communism and has brought the greatest prosperity to the world. Within every crisis, there is an opportunity," he said.

Former Ambassador Tan revealed that South Korean prosecutors have demanded to interrogate him directly, and his lawyers are resisting.

He stated, "I believe the best way for me to return to my home country is for the U.S. government to send a clear message to the South Korean government that it will not tolerate me—an ambassador for former President Trump—being held effectively hostage in South Korea and caught up in lawfare."

Former Ambassador Tan said, "I am working to strengthen the alliance, fight against communist infiltration, and protect the integrity of elections, but I am suffering from a 'legal offensive' intended to prevent the South Korean people and the U.S. government and its citizens from hearing my voice."

Former Ambassador Tan noted that he had campaigned for the release of Pastor Son Hyun-bo in the United States, and that Pastor Son was able to be released after Vice President JD Vance made a request to the South Korean Prime Minister.

Former Ambassador Tan, who revealed he had visited Pastor Son's church and spoken with him the day before the interview, said that the pastor had informed him of the realities he faced in prison.

Stating that the horrific prison life is becoming a threat to him as well, former Ambassador Tan expressed his belief that the U.S. government could make demands of the South Korean government, and if the South Korean government failed to comply, it could pose a significant risk to them.

Former Ambassador Tan added, "It would be wonderful if the American people and our government could stand together with South Korea—our key ally—and the South Korean people who sincerely love and look up to the U.S. They have been faithful allies and partners of the U.S. for many years, and I only hope that this important alliance will be further strengthened and deepened in the future."

Tina (@AZSunGal), a conservative active on X, reported that former Ambassador Tan has been unable to leave South Korea for five weeks, pointing out, "This is lawfare targeting the protected speech of an American. Free Morse Tan now! Pro-America First allies do not violate international standards to silence the truth."

U.S. NNP = Hong Sung-goo, Chief Correspondent / Special Correspondent for this publication NNP info@newsandpost.com