PPP lawmaker sentenced to 6 months in prison for defaming late President Roh

Chung Jin-suk claimed that President Roh Moo-hyun took his own life after his wife left him following an argument over the prosecutor's office investigation into the alleged bribery involving the first lady, Kwon Yang-sook, and son, Roh Geon-ho.

PPP lawmaker Chung Jin-suk leaves the Seoul Central District Court at Seocho-dong, Seoul, on Thursday after the court sentenced the lawmaker to six months in prison for defaming the late President Roh Moo-hyun. [YONHAP]

People Power Party lawmaker Chung Jin-suk has been sentenced to six months in prison for defaming the late President Roh Moo-hyun.

However, the court did not arrest the conservative party's lawmaker, citing no flight risk or risk of evidence destruction.

On Thursday, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Chung to six months in prison for defaming the honor of a deceased person and posting it online.

Chung was sued by the late president's son when the five-term lawmaker posted on his Facebook in September 2017 that President Roh committed suicide after his wife left the house following an argument.

Chung stated that the couple had fought over the prosecutor's office investigation into alleged bribery involving the first lady, Kwon Yang-soon, and the couple's son, Roh Geon-ho.

President Roh took his own life in 2009, a year after his presidency ended, while being investigated by the prosecutor's office over bribery allegations.

He became the third president after Chun Doo Hwan and Roh Tae-woo to be summoned by the prosecutors for an investigation.

On May 23, 2009, Roh jumped off a cliff at Mount Bonghwa, just behind Bongha village where he had been living.

The PPP lawmaker said he would appeal. However, if the lower court is upheld not only at the appeal but also at the Surpeme Court, Chung could loose his seat at the National Assembly.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]