Roh Moo-hyun Launches Lawsuit Against GNP Lawmaker, Four Dailies

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, August 13, 2003

Roh Moo-hyun Launches Lawsuit Against GNP Lawmaker, Four Dailies

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South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun filed a lawsuit Wednesday claiming 3 billion won (US$2.54 million) in damages against an opposition lawmaker and four newspapers concerning "groundless" allegations about his business affairs.

In May, Rep. Kim Moon-soo of the Grand National Party alleged that President Roh concealed real estate under the names of his brother and a close aide, and that he wielded undue influence to revive his private mineral water firm.

At the time, Roh dismissed the allegations but apologized to the public for the controversy.

In a written petition, Roh said, "Rep. Kim implemented acts of libel (against me) over the course of a few months and the newspapers reported Kim's groundless allegations without undergoing fact-checking procedures."

The case marks the first time an incumbent president has filed a lawsuit against a legislator or the media.

The lawsuit claimed 1 billion won against Kim and 500 million won each from the heads of the Chosun, JoongAng, Dong-a and Hankook dailies.

Considered a liberal, Roh has had an uneasy relationship with the nation's major conservative dailies, such as the Chosun, JoongAng and Dong-a, saying they distort his policies and ideas.

Earlier this week, Roh's office filed damages lawsuits against the Chosun, Dong-a and JoongAng, as well as the JoongAng's monthly magazine, claiming they published inaccurate articles about the president and his aides.

Source: Agencies

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