A prominent opposition lawmaker seen as a potential presidential candidate in the next election expressed embarrassment Tuesday that prosecutors have indicted a Japanese reporter on charges of defaming President Park Geun-hye.
  

Tatsuya Kato, former head of the Seoul bureau of Japan's conservative Sankei Shimbun newspaper, was charged with libel last month after he reported that Park held a secret meeting with an unidentified man during the early hours of April's deadly ferry sinking.
   
The sinking left more than 300 people dead or missing, going down as one of the nation's worst maritime disasters.
   
Speculation about Park's whereabouts during the early hours of the sinking has been rampant amid criticism that the government's poor initial response to the tragedy contributed to the high death toll.
   
The presidential office has refuted all claims, saying Park was inside the presidential compound.
   
On Tuesday, Rep. Moon Jae-in of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy accused the current administration of suppressing freedom of speech.
   
"I don't think the (Japanese) report is true," he said during a press conference hosted by the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club.

"However, it is extremely wrong for the prosecution to investigate and indict (the reporter) on charges of libel just because the report is different from the truth.
   
"It's become a slightly embarrassing issue from an international (perspective) because it isn't in line with legal principles, precedents or global standards on the freedom of the press."
   
Asked whether his party would do the same if it takes power, Moon said, "Criticism and surveillance of public figures and issues of public interest should be allowed to a very large extent ... If our party takes power, we will guarantee that for sure."
   
Moon, who served as chief of staff to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, lost to Park in the 2012 presidential election. He is still cited as a potential candidate in the next election slated for 2017. (Yonhap)