Politics · South Korea · 19 hrs ago
Yeosu lawmaker’s office files defamation complaint over island expo claims
The office of South Korean lawmaker Joo Cheol-hyeon says it has filed a defamation complaint with police against two people.
The case concerns comments and a report about the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, which is planned for Yeosu.
One person allegedly posted in a group chat that Joo had used land deals to advance his political career.
The office says the other person published a report that falsely claimed the expo’s initial planning began when Joo was Yeosu mayor.
It says the expo’s planning and approval as an international event took place under a later city administration.
Joo has also denied rumors that he chose the main venue or owns land near it; the police complaint is the next step stated in the account.
The office of South Korean lawmaker Joo Cheol-hyeon filed a defamation complaint against two people over comments and reporting about the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo.
The office said one person posted an insulting message about Joo in a KakaoTalk group and another published an article containing false claims.
It disputed the article’s claim that the expo’s initial planning and related study began while Joo was Yeosu mayor.
The office said the basic planning study and approval as an international event took place under the city administration that followed Joo’s.
Joo has also denied rumors that he chose the main venue in Dolsan or owns land near it.
- Who
- Joo Cheol-hyeon’s office filed the complaint against two people identified as A and B.
- What
- It accused them of defamation over a KakaoTalk post and an article concerning the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo.
- When
- The complaint was filed recently, according to the office’s statement reported on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- The complaint was made to police in South Korea. The KakaoTalk post appeared in a group involving about 860 Yeosu residents.
- Why
- The office said the post insulted Joo and the article made false claims about when the expo was first planned.
Joo Cheol-hyeon’s office
Article author B
Expo planning timeline
Joo Cheol-hyeon’s office
The office said the expo was not planned or advanced during Joo’s term as mayor and that planning work and international-event approval came later.
Article author B
B’s article said the expo’s initial concept and commissioned study began while Joo was mayor, according to the office.
The claim that I decided on the main venue in Jinmo District or that I own land near the venue is completely fake news and false information.
Since returning to Yeosu in 2013, I have not acquired even a single pyeong of land there, and I own no real estate in Dolsan, where the expo is being held, so please do not be misled by malicious lies.
Joo said on Facebook that claims he chose the main venue and owned nearby land were false.
Joo’s office filed a defamation complaint with police against A and B over a KakaoTalk post and an article.
Yonhap reported the complaint, citing Joo’s office.
- Event
- 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo
- Complainant
- Office of lawmaker Joo Cheol-hyeon
- People accused
- Two people identified as A and B
- KakaoTalk group
- About 860 Yeosu residents
- Venue at issue
- Jinmo District, Dolsan-eup
Sources
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