Seoul Gangseo Police Station has referred a man to prosecutors on charges of defamation through internet postings after he shared malicious comments targeting the mother of Reform Party presidential candidate Lee Jun-seok.
The suspect imitated Lee’s past ‘ramen slur’ remark—’jjagarak,’ a derogatory term for cheap instant noodle eaters—to reference the candidate’s mother’s real name in explicit online content. Police executed a search warrant and completed the referral without detention to Seoul Southern District Prosecutors at the end of January.
Suspect Received Content via Facebook
Investigators reveal the man received the defamatory material via Facebook in October. The post contained expressions mimicking Lee’s statements, including the ‘jjagarak’ slur directed at the candidate’s mother.
Suspect Claims It Was a Joke
The man confessed during questioning, stating, ‘I thought it was a joke because it seemed too excessive, so I shared it.’ Despite admitting he is a fan of Lee, authorities determined the act constituted a legal violation.
Lee’s Prior Use of the Slur
Lee Jun-seok previously used the ‘jjagarak’ term in May during a Daesun Hubo TV broadcast, directing it at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un alongside phrases like ‘person lacking trust.’ He also reportedly uploaded similar content under pseudonyms on various internet platforms.
Police and Prosecution Actions
Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Crimes Investigation Unit classified the case as serious and decided on a non-detention referral by late November. Prosecutors continue to handle the matter as a priority.
