South Korea Indicts Former US Diplomat for Defaming President Lee Jae Myung

South Korean prosecutors charge Korean-American professor Morse Tan with criminal defamation for false claims against President Lee Jae Myung.

Editorial Desk

July 23, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Seoul, South Korea — South Korean prosecutors have indicted Morse Tan, a Korean-American professor and former US ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice, on criminal defamation charges. Tan is accused of spreading false allegations against President Lee Jae Myung.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office announced the indictment of Tan without detention on Thursday. He faces multiple counts of defamation.

Tan, who served under the first Donald Trump administration, is alleged to have made the defamatory statements during a press conference in Washington last year. The specifics of the false claims haven’t been detailed in the public indictment.

This case underscores the serious legal consequences that can arise from public statements deemed defamatory in South Korea. The indictment comes amid heightened scrutiny of international relations — and the conduct of foreign officials.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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