 Former Prime Minister Han Myeongsook poses for the camera, stepping on a large Korean national flag while placing a flower at the memorial stone of former President Roh Moo-hyun on the second anniversary of his death in front of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation in Mapo, Seoul, in this file photo taken on May 23. / Courtesy of Voice of Seoul |
The prosecution has launched an investigation into an allegation that former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook defamed the Korean national flag, Taegeukgi.
The probe began after conservative groups accused her of defaming the national flag by stepping on an oversized version while participating in a ceremony to observe the second anniversary of the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun on May 23.
The organizers of the ceremony placed a large flag on the ground and put a memorial stone on it and people paid their respects.
“Han intentionally stepped on the national flag while joining a ceremony to express her respects to the former President,” seven groups including the Korean Parents’ Association and the Families of Abductees to North Korea said in a statement.
“She didn’t stop ceremony organizers from spreading the national flag on the ground and placing a memorial stone in the center. She even took a photo of herself stepping on it,” they said, adding that it was an intentional act to express her discontent with the country.
Under the current law, those who damage or defame the national flag can be subject to a maximum of five years in jail or a 7 million won ($6,473) fine.
Following the accusation, the prosecution will decide whether she intended to hurt the dignity of the nation intentionally before they question her.
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