Han “Efforts to relieve employees’ grievances”
An arrest warrant for Han Sang-hyeok (pictured), chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, who is suspected of being involved in the 2020 comprehensive programming channel (general) re-approval score manipulation has been dismissed.
At around 0:05 on the 30th, Chief Judge Lee Chang-yeol of the Seoul Northern District Court dismissed the arrest warrant for Chairman Han. Chief Judge Lee said, “There is room for contention over the main charges, so arresting them at this stage can excessively limit the defense rights of the suspects. In light of the evidence collected so far and the progress of the investigation, it is difficult to say that there is a risk of destroying evidence,” he explained the reason for the dismissal.
In the legal world, it is pointed out that the calling for the crime has not been sufficiently fulfilled. It is known that there was no evidence or statement in the prosecution’s request for an arrest warrant that Han directly instructed KCC executives to manipulate scores. A former judge-turned-lawyer pointed out, “If there are no statements or circumstances in which Chairman Han directly ordered the manipulation, it will not be easy to prove criminal charges during future trials.”
Chairman Han met with reporters immediately after the dismissal of the warrant and said, “I am grateful to the court for listening to my plea for a long time and judging wisely. I will try to prove my innocence in the future and resolve the injustice of our (Korea Communications Commission) staff.” Chairman Han said that he would fill his term until July this year.
Prosecutors requested an arrest warrant on the 24th for charges such as obstruction of public affairs through hierarchical schemes, abuse of authority, and preparation of false public documents, alleging that Chairman Han had unfairly intervened in the TV Chosun screening process at the time and lowered his score. Instead of re-applying for an arrest warrant for Chairman Han, the prosecution is known to indict Chairman Han without detention while preparing for the first trial on the 4th of next month against KCC executives and director Yang Mo.
Reporter Lee Ki-wook 71wook@donga.com
