A court hearing was held on June 2 to determine whether to suspend a travel ban on Moss Tan, a professor at Liberty University, who is under police investigation for allegedly defaming President Lee Jae-myung.
Tan did not attend the hearing.
According to Yonhap News, Tan's legal representatives requested the Seoul Administrative Court to lift the travel ban, arguing that the right to freedom of movement is constitutionally protected.
Attorney Lee Ha-sang, representing Tan, claimed that the travel ban was flawed both substantively and procedurally, leading to irreparable harm. He stated, "To restrict travel based on a lack of specific evidence regarding the purpose of travel is an unconstitutional assertion," adding that they would provide supporting documents if necessary.
In contrast, the Ministry of Justice argued that the travel ban should remain in effect.
A representative from the ministry stated, "Tan's side claims he needs to travel for lectures in the U.S., but they have not substantiated the specific purpose or timing of his travel. Vague assertions of necessity do not prove irreparable harm."
The representative further noted that while Tan claims to be cooperating with investigators, he appears to be refusing to attend without legitimate reasons, suggesting that the request should be denied.
Tan, who served as the U.S. Department of State's International Criminal Justice Ambassador during the Trump administration, has stirred controversy by alleging that China interfered in South Korea's elections and that President Lee had been incarcerated as a youth.
The police, who charged Tan with defamation last July, requested his attendance after he announced plans to monitor and verify alleged election fraud in South Korea ahead of the June 3 local elections.
After Tan submitted a notice of absence, the police applied for the travel ban to the Ministry of Justice, prompting Tan to file a lawsuit to cancel the ban along with a request for a stay. The travel ban refers to restrictions placed on foreigners preventing them from leaving the country.
A hearing for the main lawsuit filed by Tan's side to cancel the travel ban is scheduled for June 10.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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