Prosecution Raids Broadcasting Commission... Investigation into Ryu Hee-rim for Allegations of Retaliation Against Whistleblower (Comprehensive)

Former Korea Communications Standards Commission Chairman Ryu Hee-rim. (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Jin-wook = Ryu Hee-rim, the former chairman of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), is presiding over a plenary meeting at the KCSC office in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on the 10th. 2025.3.10 cityboy@yna.co.kr

The prosecution has launched a compulsory investigation into allegations that Ryu Hee-rim, the former chairman of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), retaliated against an internal whistleblower.

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office's Criminal Division 6 (Chief Prosecutor Lee Kyung-min) announced on the 24th that it is currently conducting a search and seizure of the KCSC office in Yangcheon-gu and other locations in connection with former Chairman Ryu, who is suspected of violating the Act on the Prevention of Conflict of Interest.

This case was transferred to the prosecution in July by the Yangcheon Police Station after concluding that former Chairman Ryu's violation of the Act on the Prevention of Conflict of Interest was acknowledged.

However, a source from the Southern District Prosecutors' Office stated that they could not reveal specific details regarding the reasons for the search and seizure.

Former Chairman Ryu was previously embroiled in controversy over allegations of "instigating complaints," where he allegedly asked family members and acquaintances to file complaints regarding specific news reports related to Newstapa and then participated in the deliberation of those complaints himself.

The core of the case is that he subsequently attempted to identify the person who reported these allegations and pursued internal audits and investigations, thereby attempting to retaliate against the whistleblower.

Under Article 27 of the Act on the Prevention of Conflict of Interest, individuals who take retaliatory action against a reporter may be subject to imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

Previously, the Yangcheon Police Station had forwarded the case of former Chairman Ryu to the prosecution for violation of the Act on the Prevention of Conflict of Interest, but decided not to pursue charges for obstruction of business related to instigating complaints, finding no grounds for such charges. Yonhap News