DPK files complaint with prosecution for spreading false information about injury of candidate's wife

Lee Jae-myung, front left, the presidential candidate for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, walks with his wife, Kim Hye-gyeong, during a ceremony to launch his campaign office at a gym in Seoul, Nov. 2. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geun

By Bahk Eun-ji

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said, Thursday, it has filed a complaint with the prosecution against two people for spreading false information online about an injury suffered by the wife of its presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung. The unidentified people uploaded postings that implied Lee had assaulted his wife, Kim Hye-gyeong.

"The accused raises indiscriminate suspicions that the health of Lee's spouse was affected by the candidate, causing public misunderstanding and controversy. They will have to take responsibility for the spread of false information unless there is evidence to back that up,” the DPK said in the complaint.

According to the party, one of the postings uploaded Tuesday read: “I wonder why she got a CT scan and why she had it on the face. If she had been slapped with a palm and no bone fracture had been suspected, she wouldn't have gotten a CT scan. It may be a blow with a fist or something stronger.”

Another user posted a screen-capture of Lee holding a hammer, “maliciously distorting his image,” according to the DPK. It was actually from a video of Lee explaining about a hammer in his office in 2017 that somebody gave him as a symbol of “breaking deep-rooted corruption.”

“If no action is taken against such people spreading false information, the credibility and objectivity of the 20th presidential election will be undermined and it could mislead voters into making wrong choices. It will significantly violate the public interest as well,” the DPK said.

According to the party, Kim received emergency treatment for a laceration early Tuesday morning after falling unconscious and collapsing. She was discharged from the hospital after receiving sutures.