The Edge of the Abyss: Exclusive Interview Uncovers Yoon Suk Yeol and Han Dong Hoon's Crisis
BK Park
NJT Senior Writer & Editor
Seoul, Korea — What comes to mind when the term ‘tablet PC' is mentioned? Perhaps you think of your own tablet PC and recall the tasks and entertainment activities you've done with it.
In South Korea, however, the phrase ‘tablet PC' evokes memories of the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. Before delving into the intricacies of this significant event, I'd like to introduce how this investigation commenced briefly.
Upon concluding my 26-year life in the United States and returning to South Korea in 2016, my goal was to establish a future-focused educational and journalistic enterprise.
In 2017, the Sewol ferry, a significant symbol in South Korean history, was raised at Mokpo New Port. This event marked a poignant moment in the nation’s collective memory, representing both a tragic past and a step towards closure for those affected by the disaster. Photo by Trainholic
The Sewol Ferry disaster, also known as the Sewolho tragedy, was a pivotal event that influenced my decision to return to Korea. On April 16, 2014, the Sewol Ferry, a passenger ferry operated by Cheonghaejin Marine Company, sank near Byeongpungdo, 20 km north of Jindo, carrying 476 passengers, including teachers and students from Danwon High School in Ansan, Gyeonggi-do.
This tragic incident resulted in 304 deaths, including five unrecovered bodies. President Park Geun-hye's Blue House response to the tragedy was widely criticized. Instead of protecting the victims, the administration manipulated the situation, creating social conflict and even hindering efforts for a thorough investigation into disaster response mechanisms. This response sparked widespread public outrage. In contrast to the American approach of prioritizing citizen welfare even at the expense of national interest, there was a perception in Korea that the victims' families were not receiving adequate support and consolation.
Hardcore supporters of Park Geun-hye disparaged the families of the Sewol victims, accusing them of seeking compensation, and responded with ‘indulging in food as a means of demonstration' to counter the victims' families' hunger strikes, leading to further public outrage.
The Sewol disaster, emblematic of broader societal issues in Korea, drew my attention, particularly due to the young lives lost and the government's obstruction of a thorough investigation. My experience in the U.S., including my doctoral research focused on journalism training, prepared me for this endeavor. However, establishing a media outlet in Korea proved challenging due to restrictions on foreign nationals.
The Park Geun-hye impeachment saga unfolded shortly after I arrived in Korea in 2016. While I could not start a media company, I continued to gather information and research the matter.
The country was deeply polarized over the impeachment issue. I personally recorded a video of a protest by the so-called "Taegeukgi (meaning Korean flag) protesters" who opposed the impeachment, in February 2017.
The Sewol incident or tragedy did not initially trigger the impeachment discussions but by a significant revelation in October 2016. JTBC reported that Park Geun-hye's close confidante, Choi Soon-sil, had been receiving government documents and influencing the President via a tablet PC. The nation trusted JTBC's reporting, led by anchor Sohn Suk-hee, the most respected journalist at the time.
After the report, the political climate was tumultuous. The opposition, led by the Democratic Party, suggested the President’s resignation, while Lee Jae-myung, then-Mayor of Seongnam, was the first to mention impeachment, subsequently gaining significant political prominence.
President Park Geun-hye, on November 9, 2016, declared she would not resign but rather face impeachment. On December 3, an impeachment motion was filed by 171 lawmakers, including opposition parties and independents.
In a JTBC news broadcast captured in a photo, Son Suk-hee, dressed in a suit, is seen reporting. In the same frame, the former President of South Korea, Park Geun-hye, is depicted wearing a red outfit, while Choi Soon-sil, known as the ’shadow power broker’, is shown wearing a white jacket. This particular news segment covered the revelation that in 2016, Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil engaged in over 570 phone conversations. Furthermore, the report highlighted that even while Choi was residing in Germany, there were as many as 127 calls between them. This news piece played a significant role in uncovering the extensive communications between Park and Choi, which later became a central aspect of a major political scandal in South Korea.
The controversy around the tablet PC and JTBC's reporting played a pivotal role in these events. However, skepticism arose, particularly from Media Watch's Byun Hee-jae, who doubted JTBC's reporting and suspected manipulation.
Despite Byun's allegations, JTBC maintained its stance, and the impeachment momentum continued. Byun's theory was the primary argument of those opposing impeachment (The Taegeukgi protestors composed mainly in their 60s and 70s).
As the debate intensified, the prosecution introduced a second tablet PC, allegedly belonging to Choi Soon-sil. While initially believed to contain evidence of Choi's influence, it was later revealed to only have accounting data with no trace of governmental manipulation—only signs of tampering.
Ultimately, the tablet PC controversy catalyzed both the ignition and escalation of the impeachment proceedings. The outcome was the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, who, along with Choi Soon-sil, received prison sentences and fines.
Choi was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined 20 billion won in 2018, later reduced to 18 years and the same fine in the final Supreme Court verdict in June 2020. Choi was found guilty of coercing conglomerates to donate to the Mir and K-Sports Foundations and receiving bribes from Samsung for her daughter's equestrian training, among other charges.
Park Geun-hye lost her presidential status on March 10, 2017, following the Constitutional Court's impeachment decision.
The investigation team led by Park Yeong-soo, appointed special prosecutor, played a crucial role in these events. Yoon Suk Yeol, now President of South Korea, was recruited as the investigation team leader, with Han Dong-hoon, currently the Minister of Justice, among the team members.
Byun Hee-jae has suggested that Yoon Suk Yeol and Han Dong-hoon manipulated the tablet PC evidence to ensure the success of the special investigation.
The tablet PC scandal, as reported by JTBC, was a decisive factor in the impeachment of Park Geun-hye. An article in the JoongAng Ilbo, JTBC's parent company, titled “Choi Soon-sil's Tablet PC Overturned South Korea, A Record of Park Geun-hye's Four Years,” details how the initial reporting by JTBC on October 24, 2016, about leaked presidential documents, led to the escalation of the scandal and subsequent events.
For about seven years, Byun Hee-jae has steadfastly maintained that the tablet PC central to a major political scandal in South Korea was a fabrication. His book, "I Know What They Did That Winter," and face-to-face interviews with New Journalist Today(NJT) provide insight into his arguments.
Byun Hee-jae is a South Korean media personality and political commentator, known for his conservative views and active presence in South Korean politics and media. He has been a vocal critic of liberal policies and has often been involved in political controversies due to his outspoken nature. Byun’s career includes roles as a journalist, writer, and media personality, where he has frequently contributed to debates on national issues. His involvement in various political discussions and controversies has made him a well-known figure in South Korea, particularly among conservative circles. Byun’s influence extends to social media and digital platforms, where he continues to engage with a wide audience on matters of political and social importance in South Korea.
Here's a detailed summary of his claims, as compiled from his book and face-to-face interviews with our editor:
To start with the conclusion, Byun argues that the idea that Choi Soon-sil, who never used a tablet PC, communicated with Park Geun-hye through this electronic device and manipulated state affairs is fiction created by the special prosecutors and JTBC. I found these contents to be well-grounded and logical. Below are the claims made by Byun Hee-jae.
1. The first tablet PC belongs to Kim Han-soo. Kim, the owner of this tablet PC, was an administrative officer in the Blue House during President Park Geun-hye's tenure and was in charge of New Media. Kim accessed national confidential materials while carrying out state affairs, not Choi Soon-sil.
2. An, responsible for accounting in Choi Soon-sil's office, used the second tablet PC. There is no trace that Choi Soon-sil used it.
3. The fabrication of the first tablet PC is the work of Kim Han-soo and JTBC. There is a high likelihood that JTBC consulted with the prosecution before reporting it. Byun Hee-jae stated in the interview, “When I first put forth the theory of the tablet PC fabrication, I thought it was the work of JTBC. I had never thought that the special prosecutor had intervened.” He later came to know about the special prosecutor's intervention.
4. Nothing else came from the second tablet PC besides An's accounting-related files. This tablet PC likely emerged during the search and seizure of Choi Soon-sil's office, and the special prosecutor suddenly presented it when suspicions about the fabrication of the first tablet PC grew among the public.
5. No one can testify that Choi Soon-sil knew how to use a tablet PC. She never activated it, and there are no traces of email exchanges. Choi Soon-sil is computer illiterate. She never paid the fees. The fees for the first tablet PC were all paid by Kim Han-soo with his own money.
6. Both tablet PCs are not Choi Soon-sil's, but the media and prosecution led them to be seen as hers. If they were to lead the case in that direction, they needed to fabricate, and it seems that initially, the prosecution colluded with JTBC regarding the first tablet PC. There is a possibility that Kim Han-soo also conspired with the prosecutor(s). Kim Han-soo apparently made a contract with SKT, as the prosecutor(s) told, and there are clear traces of contract manipulation.
7. The special prosecutor seems to have conspired with Choi Soon-sil's niece, Ms. Chang Si-ho, regarding the second tablet PC. According to a report by New Tamsa, Choi Soon-sil's daughter Chung Yoo-ra said, 'Chang Si-ho, under the influence of alcohol, did as (Special Prosecutor) Han Dong-hoon told her to.' In other words, the second tablet PC used by employee An, which was found during the search of Choi Soon-Sil, was in possession of the special prosecutor(s), and they suddenly announced that Jang Si-ho brought the second tablet PC when the situation was unfavorable.
8. To cover up the conspiracy, the prosecution side must not hand over the tablet PCs after the trials, and they tried their utmost not to release these two devices.
9. The second tablet PC was returned to Choi Soon-sil by court order, and it was forensically examined under the initiative of Byun Hee-jae, but nothing significant was found. It was a tablet PC used by employee An.
10. Regarding the first tablet PC, only partial forensic results the prosecution and defense requested were available. Still, as traces of manipulation were found in them, Choi Soon-sil's side asked for the return of the first table PC, but the prosecutors have continually refused to do so. Byun Hee-jae stated, “We need to get back the first tablet PC as soon as possible, and I'm waiting because we can get it once the Supreme Court makes a decision.”
11. The court ruled that the first tablet PC should be returned to Choi Soon-sil, but the prosecution said it could not be handed over because it is a 'national secret.'
12. Even when told to return both tablet PCs, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said they could not be returned because the owner is not Choi Soon-sil. Here, the suspicion of fabrication is evident. They claimed Choi Soon-sil carried out state manipulation through these tablet PCs seven years ago, but now they are persistently saying they are not Choi Soon-sil's.
13. If Byun Hee-jae's claims are correct, this case is an essential example of manipulation by the prosecution and the media, mainly JTBC. If he is right, it can be concluded that the prosecution dug up something else to prove they were not wrong when their target did not produce the desired results.
14. Prosecutor Yoon Suk Yeol panicked and became immobilized when pressed about the tablet PC. In the video below, when Assemblyman Kim Jin-tae pressed prosecutor Yoon about the tablet PC, Yoon became highly flustered. Byun Hee-jae commented, “At that time, Assemblyman Kim Jin-tae pressed him about the first tablet PC, but if he had pressed about the second tablet PC, the special prosecutor's team would have been shattered.” Byun added, “We did not have pieces of evidence about the second tablet PC at that hearing.” Ironically, Assemblyman Kim Jin-tae, who interrogated at that time, is now cooperating with President Yoon and working as the Governor of Gangwon Province.
15. Yoon Suk Yeol, now the President, and Han Dong-hoon, the Minister of Justice, have shown an oppressive attitude against fair play and common sense, such as suing media outlets and searching the homes of reporters for negative coverage about them. However, they have not filed defamation lawsuits or initiated investigations against Byun Hee-jae's claims regarding the tablet PC. They have made absolutely no comments. Even when Byun Hee-jae protested in front of the Tower Palace, which is the residence of Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, he was not sued. Byun Hee-jae has spoken harshly on popular YouTube broadcasts, but they did not sue him. His YouTube broadcasts get tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of views, but they maintain silence.
16. Byun Hee-jae was sentenced to two years in prison in connection with the first tablet PC and was released on bail, the condition being not to talk about the tablet PC. However, he has made numerous statements about the tablet PC since then and even protested in front of the Tower Palace, which is the residence of Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, but the “lawsuit-loving minister" never accused Byun. Mr. Byun said, “I have been arguing for years that the tablet PC fabrication is Han Dong-hoon's fabrication, even putting up banners, so why can't they sue me? Because they know they will be utterly defeated if they confront me.” When asked about his feelings while protesting in front of Han Dong-hoon's place, Byun replied, “Han Dong-hoon's wife is also a lawyer. I even sent the book I wrote to the law firm she works for. She would quickly realize it's a crime if she read the book. I protest with the mindset that the family urges Han Dong-hoon to surrender. That's why I protest in front of the apartment.” He stated that he had never encountered the family during his protests.
17. Korean media rushed to report anything unfavorable to Byun Hee-jae regarding legal disputes related to his claims about the tablet PC but never said anything negative to Yoon Suk Yeol or Han Dong-hoon.
18. Byun Hee-jae was imprisoned over the first tablet PC and filed a lawsuit against JTBC and anchor Sohn Suk-hee for rectification, and 200 million was won in damages. The court dismissed all claims on November 10. The 12th Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court stated in its first instance judgment, 'The circumstances and evidence presented by the plaintiff are insufficient to conclude that 'the defendants' reports about this tablet were all fabricated,' and there is no other evidence to support this.' In response, Byun Hee-jae stated, 'There was no evidence investigation or trial procedure in the first instance civil trial,' and 'The three judges of the first instance who trampled on the national right to trial will be reported to the High-ranking Officials Crime Investigation Office (CIO).' Byun added to NJT, “They made the sudden judgment after doing nothing for four years since filing the civil lawsuit.” Byun, who appealed, added more, “The court will drag out the appeal because there is a possibility that this judgment will be overturned.”
| Transcript: Right before entering the courtroom on May 28, 2018, Byun defended himself by saying, “The premise of this arrest warrant is based on the National Forensic Service's report, which scientifically proved it to be Choi Soon-sil's. Additionally, the verdict for Jung Ho-sung stated that Choi Soon-sil received documents via the tablet PC. These two premises formed the basis of the warrant, but both are not true. The National Forensic Service's conclusion indicates a high likelihood of multiple users, suggesting the tablet could have been for communal use. This is the conclusion of the National Forensic Service. Moreover, Jung Ho-sung's verdict doesn't mention the tablet's content, and Jung Ho-sung himself never stated that Choi Soon-sil received documents through the tablet PC. In short, there's absolutely no proof that it belonged to Choi Soon-sil. For one and a half years, neither JTBC nor its president, Sohn Suk-hee, has requested a correction from the Press Arbitration Commission. They didn't file for an injunction to prohibit publication, nor did they undertake any activities to redress the damage until the arrest warrant was issued due to the harm suffered. I find this utterly incomprehensible. I will organize these points and present them clearly to the court.” |
Byun Hee-jae views December 22 as a significant date. He believes Kim Han-soo to be the owner and user of the first tablet PC. A verdict related to the forgery of a contract with the SKT telecommunications company is expected on that day. He anticipates a high likelihood of the contract forgery being acknowledged. In a Media Watch column dated January 13, 2023, Byun wrote, "The manipulation of the 'new SKT communication contract' has been confirmed through recent forensic handwriting analysis by a certified institution. In an attempt to cover up the original forged contract, SKT submitted a new forged contract to the related trial, ironically admitting the forgery of both contracts. This evidence tampering, repeating with the tablet device and now contract documents, appears to be a collusion between SKT, the prosecution, and Kim Han-soo. The question now is who among these three will surrender first."
If the verdict on December 22 confirms the contract forgery, it increases the likelihood that the first tablet PC was manipulated by Kim Han-soo, the prosecution or JTBC. Byun stated, "I am 100% confident that the verdict on contract forgery, initially scheduled for November but postponed to December, will be delivered that day." He added that if the forgery verdict is pronounced, "it would be akin to a hole in a dam."
Byun also mentioned, "I understand that the High-Ranking Officials Crime Investigation Unit has completed all basic investigations related to the tablet PC. Now it's time to investigate the relevant individuals." He has consistently emphasized that President Yoon and Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon would step down from public office before the end of this year or before the next general election, explaining, "When the tablet PC fabrication becomes public knowledge and is concluded as manipulation, these two individuals will inevitably be ousted from the conservative circle." He anticipates they will step down naturally before any impeachment due to losing their support base.
Meanwhile, Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, who has consistently claimed the tablet PC was fabricated, recently appeared on a YouTube broadcast, asserting her belief in the manipulation. However, she unexpectedly defended prosecutors Yoon Suk Yeol and Han Dong-hoon, stating, "It's likely that lower-level prosecutors conducted the manipulation, and Yoon and Han were probably unaware at that time." Byun refuted her claim: "It's implausible that lower-level prosecutors acted without directives from above. Claiming ignorance is nonsensical." He added, "Even if Yoon and Han were unaware, they should have questioned the absurdity of the reports they received." Chung also shared a recording with the YouTube channel New Tamsa Team, in which her cousin, Chang Si-ho, lamented, "I suffered alone manipulating the tablet under Han Dong-hoon's orders; it's unfair."
Why major media remains silent despite such explosive revelations through YouTube broadcasts, minor media outlets, and books remains a question. Major media outlets refrain from reporting anything unfavorable to the Special Investigation Team, including Yoon and Han Dong-hoon.
Moreover, it's surprising that the Taegeukgi protestors, who opposed Park Geun-hye's impeachment and claimed the tablet PC was fabricated, have suddenly turned their backs on Byun Hee-jae. Byun commented, "As Prosecutor Yoon began investigating former Minister Cho Kuk, they started cheering for Yoon. 99% have turned their backs. Since then, they have not supported the tablet PC fabrication theory."
Byun explained, "During the impeachment, all media rushed to report on the tablet PC, and some even guaranteed its authenticity. Reversing all this is a huge burden for the media, hence the non-reporting of the tablet PC fabrication theory." He added, "A reporter for a major broadcasting company confessed, 'Honestly, we're too scared of the prosecution to report about it.' Journalists seem to have an illusion about the prosecution, thinking, 'Would they really fabricate evidence?'"
Foreign media that interviewed Byun have given prominent coverage to his claims, considering them rational. Byun said, "Foreign media continue to cover the story. Last November, a Japanese reporter came to cover the verdict that the first tablet PC belonged to Kim Han-soo (which was later postponed to December 22). They're waiting for Korean media to report on these matters."
Lastly, Byun was asked, "Why engage in such a challenging task? It seems both admirable and pitiful." He responded, "If it were a difficult issue, I wouldn't have dived into it. When JTBC reported on the first tablet PC, it was too obvious that there was no evidence linking it to Choi Soon-sil. Just watching JTBC's report made it clear it belonged to Kim Han-soo. I thought explaining it would easily end the matter. I never imagined the prosecution's involvement. I thought JTBC was just overzealous and misreported. I knew many at JoongAng Ilbo (the parent company of JTBC) and thought I could clarify it. I didn't imagine SKT and the prosecution's involvement; I wouldn't have pursued it if I knew the complexity. I thought it would be a simple case. If it were an insurmountable mountain, I wouldn't have attempted it. I thought it was simple enough to jump into. I expected it to resolve with just one more step, but it's dragged on for seven years."
Additionally, Byun was asked, "Aren't you afraid to confront such immense power?" He replied, "After seven years of confrontation, I realized they're not so formidable. Their fabrication level is low, easily uncovered, and their excuses are weak. I'm not afraid because I hold the key. Other media face raids, but ours is left untouched. If they mess with us, it only makes things bigger. Honestly, they seem laughable. They seem more afraid of me and cowardly than expected."
The final question extended: "What do you foresee happening next?"
"I expect the High-Ranking Officials Crime Investigation Unit to target Han Dong-hoon. The current Chief's term ends in late January next year, so they'll likely wrap up this case before then."
“Will December and January bring a storm to South Korea's political landscape?" I asked myself this truly final question.
The Open Democratic Party (led by party leader Kim Sang-kyun) is drawing attention by hanging banners across various locations in Seoul, including in front of the Tower Palace, which is the residence of Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon. These banners are raising issues about the party’s investigation into the alleged fabrication of a tablet used in the impeachment of Park Geun-hye. On the 5th, an official from the Open Democratic Party revealed that the banners were put up to question the alleged fabrication of evidence related to a ’second Choi Soon-sil tablet’ during Han Dong-hoon’s tenure in the special prosecutor’s Fourth Investigation Team. According to Article 37 of the Political Parties Act, registered political parties like the Open Democratic Party can display banners financed by the party’s expenses to promote their stance on political issues. Photo by Media Watch.
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