Professor acquitted of defaming late President Roh

The Seoul Western District Court on Wednesday dismissed a libel suit filed by the son of late President Roh Moo-hyun against a Hongik University law professor on charges of insulting the late president in his class.

The professor, identified by his surname Lyou, had included in his U.S. contract law class exam last year a question which included the sentence: “Roh was 17 years old and his IQ was 69. He suffered brain defects caused by his jumping from the Owl Rock at age six.”

The description largely reminded of the late president who died by jumping off a cliff in his home Bongha village in May 2009, amid a prosecutorial probe over allegations of illicit funds amassed by his family members.

The professor claimed that he had no foul intention and that he also used the names of other celebrities in his quiz.

The court ruled that while the content of the question is “somewhat inappropriate,” it cannot be ruled illegal in terms of protecting academic freedom.

Roh Gun-ho, the late president’s son who filed the suit, is currently considering whether to appeal the ruling in a higher court, said his lawyer.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)