US professor questioned over alleged defamation of President Lee
Morse Tan, a Korean American professor facing allegations of defaming President Lee Jae Myung, speaks to protesters demonstrating against ballot shortages in the June 3 local elections outside SK Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in southern Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Morse Tan, a Korean American professor at U.S.-based Liberty University, has been questioned by police over his alleged defamation of President Lee Jae Myung, his lawyers said Friday.
The U.S. professor underwent a two-hour private questioning session Thursday, according to his lawyers.
Tan is accused of falsely claiming at a press conference in the United States last year that Lee was involved in murder as a teenager and had been sent to a juvenile detention center for the crime.
"We believe further questioning to be highly unlikely," the lawyers said in a notice to the press.
Tan was originally scheduled for questioning Wednesday but demanded a change in schedule, citing concerns of media exposure.
After entering the country on May 28 to observe the June 3 local elections, Tan had failed to comply with earlier police summons.
Consequently, police requested a travel ban on the professor, and the justice ministry earlier barred him from leaving the country until Tuesday.