Actor gives evidence on blacklist
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Actor Moon Sung-keun answers questions from reporters at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Monday, before undergoing questioning over an allegation that he was among 82 cultural figures whom former President Lee Myung-bak deemed left-leaning and thus was subject to various career disadvantages. Yonhap
By Lee Kyung-min
Actor Moon Sung-keun demanded former President Lee Myung-bak be questioned over allegations the National Intelligence Service under his administration created a blacklist of artists. He said the spy agency created the blacklist to control the media and cultural figures critical of Lee or supportive of former President Roh Moo-hyun.
Moon appeared before the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Monday, to answer questions on allegations he was among 82 cultural figures Lee deemed left-leaning and subject to various career disadvantages.
“The NIS created and distributed a digitally manipulated, obscene photo of me and an actress, also known for left-leaning political views, just to besmirch her and me, an act I consider only a group of Ilbe members, a far-right online community, would resort to,” he said before entering the office.
“The reputation of the Korean intelligence agency has been irrevocably tainted to the point of no return. I feel aghast. I can’t even begin to describe how I feel.”
Moon said the allegations should be thoroughly investigated and Lee should be questioned, adding the emphasis should be put on uncovering how the Lee administration managed a "whitelist" of pro-state figures, as opposed to the blacklist his name was on.
“I guess punishing those whose names are on its blacklist did not waste too much in taxes, but I believe financing right-wing civic groups must have cost a lot. I urge the prosecution to get to the bottom of this,” he said.
The blacklist, revealed by an NIS in-house taskforce last week, is believed to have been created by Kim Joo-sung, the second in command after former NIS chief Won Sei-hoon. Kim is known for his close relationship with Lee’s older brother Lee Sang-deuk, a five-term former lawmaker.
The list was used to “punish” numerous figures by having their contracts canceled and their earnings audited, and investigations launched on any agencies or groups that had business with the 82 figures.