» Opposition Democratic Labor Party lawmaker, Lee Jung-hee.

The Chosun Ilbo has brought charges of libel against Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Jong-kul and Democratic Labor Party lawmaker Lee Jung-hee, after the two National Assembly members disclosed the name of a high-ranking official at the Chosun Ilbo company as one of the people named in documents referred to as the “Jang Ja-yeon list.” The actress Jang Ja-yeon committed suicide in March at the age of 29. Police are investigating the contents of a note believed to have been left by her which carries allegations of sexual coercion against a number of senior executives. In response, the two lawmakers have argued that their rights to immunity as National Assembly members and the citizens’ right to know were being improperly suppressed.

The Chosun Ilbo printed a front-page story Friday reporting that it had filed charges at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, suggesting that lawmakers Lee Jong-kul and Lee Jung-hee had committed libel by naming a certain official at the Chosun Ilbo as on the “Jang Ja-yeon list.” Lee Jong-kul made the comment in question during a National Assembly government question and answer (Q & A) session on April 6, while Lee Jung-hee made a comment on the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) show “100-Minute Debate” on Friday. The newspaper company also brought charges against Shin Sang-cheol, the director of the political Webzine “Surprise,” alleging that he had left a post on his site for a long period of time for internet readers conclusively stating a connection between the official in question and Jang. The Chosun Ilbo indicated that it also plans to file civil suits against the individuals in question.

In response, Lee Jong-kul issued a statement Saturday in which he wrote, “Because suspicions had arisen that an influential media executive was included on the ‘Jang Ja-yeon list,’ and the police were not properly investigating it, I publicly disclosed the name of the person.” He added that the Chosun Ilbo company is ignoring the right of National Assembly members to exemption from liability for their speech, which is guaranteed in the Constitution. In connection with the statement Lee made at the government Q & A session, he plans to hold a debate entitled “The People’s Right to Know or Libel?” at the Small Conference Room in the National Assembly Library on Tuesday morning.

Lee Jung-hee also emphasized the legitimacy of her disclosure of the individual’s name Sunday. “I exercised my freedom of the press, which is guaranteed to me so that I can be ensured my right to know, a fundamental right of each citizen that is specified in the Constitution, and fulfill my duty as a National Assembly member,” Lee said.

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