Newspaper sues two lawmakers for libel

South Korea`s leading newspaper on Monday filed a one billion won ($805,000) civil lawsuits against two opposition lawmakers for libel, claiming they falsely alleged executives of the daily were implicated in a sex scandal involving an actress who committed suicide, Yonhap News reported.



The Seoul District Court said the Chosun Ilbo, the largest-circulation daily, sued Reps. Lee Jong-kul and Lee Jung-hee for naming the newspaper during a parlimentary session and a television debate last month as the rumored media company whose senior officials were linked to the scandal.

Actress Jang Ja-yeon, 30, hanged herself at her house in early March, leaving behind a suicide note and self-penned letters claiming she was forced by her former agent to provide sexual favors to influential figures.

The scandal became full blown with rumors and speculations that men from powerful media and entertainment industries were involved, leading to a prosecution investigation.

"Rep. Lee Jong-kul made the malicious comments knowing they will be made known to the public through the National Assembly TV network. Rep. Lee Jung-hee mentioned specific names a number of times during a television debate," The daily said.

Lee Jong-kul is a member of the main opposition Democratic Party, and Lee Jung-hee from the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party.