▲ In this file photo, Korean American professor Morse Tan (2nd from L) visits a polling station in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul, where early voting for the June 3 local elections was under way, on May 29, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

police-US professor

Police to question U.S. professor this week over alleged defamation of Lee

SEOUL, June 23 (Yonhap) -- Police plan to question Korean American professor Morse Tan this week over his alleged defamation of President Lee Jae Myung, sources said Tuesday.

The questioning will take place at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at 10 a.m. Wednesday over allegations that the professor at U.S.-based Liberty University falsely accused Lee of involvement in murder as a teenager.

Tan allegedly made the claim at a press conference in the United States last year. He also claimed Lee had been sent to a juvenile detention center for the crime.

It will be the first time he will appear for questioning by the police. Last month, police applied for a travel ban on the professor after he failed to comply with their summonses. The justice ministry accepted the request and have banned him from leaving the country until next Tuesday.

A request by Tan to suspend the exit ban was rejected by a court, and an appeal is currently under way.

Tan's associates said they will hold a press conference outside the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in southern Seoul around 8 p.m. Wednesday to state their position on the investigation.

The gymnasium has been the site of weeks of protests demanding a rerun of the June 3 local elections after ballot paper shortages at some polling stations disrupted voting on the election day.

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