Morse Tan Indicted by South Korean Prosecutors for Defaming President Lee Jae-myung

Morse Tan Indicted on Defamation Charges

The charges stem from remarks made by Tan during a press conference at the National Press Building in Washington, D.C., in June 2025. During that event, Tan stated that President Lee had been involved in the murder of a girl during his youth and was incarcerated in a juvenile detention center, which allegedly prevented him from attending middle and high school. Prosecutors contend these statements are false.

Legal Proceedings and Travel Restrictions

Tan, a Korean-American who formerly served as a professor at Liberty University, entered South Korea on May 28, 2026, ahead of local elections. Following his arrival, he failed to comply with police summons, leading authorities to impose a travel ban. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s cyber investigation unit completed an investigation and referred the case to the prosecution on July 1, 2026.

The travel ban has since been extended through July 31, 2026, by the Ministry of Justice. Tan challenged the extension, filing a lawsuit to cancel the order and an application for a stay of execution, arguing that the measures violated constitutional due process and the principle of proportionality. However, the Seoul Administrative Court dismissed his request on July 6, stating that the travel ban is necessary for the public interest given the investigation’s progress and the circumstances of the case.

International Response and “Lawfare” Claims

The case has attracted international attention, with some organizations framing the legal action as a “lawfare” campaign. A U.S.-based non-profit organization, Save the Persecuted Christians (STPC), has issued statements calling for Tan’s release and urging the U.S. government to intervene. According to breaknews.com, STPC CEO Dede Laugesen stated that Tan requested assistance in exposing what he describes as a legal war used to suppress dissent.

Tan has consistently argued that South Korean courts lack jurisdiction over statements he made while on U.S. soil. In interviews with Lindell TV and appearances at public forums in South Korea, he has cited the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as protections for his speech. As noted by epochtimes.kr, Tan characterizes the investigation as a political maneuver intended to silence opposition.

Public Appearances and Current Status

Tan is currently residing in South Korea while the legal proceedings continue. The case remains a point of contention between his supporters, who view the prosecution as an act of political repression, and legal authorities who maintain the necessity of the investigation into the allegations of defamation against the President.