Moshtan, a former professor at Liberty University, is facing allegations of defaming President Lee Jae-myung by spreading false information. He requested the court to suspend the enforcement of a second travel ban, but his request was denied.
On July 6, Judge Kim Tae-hwan of the Seoul Administrative Court dismissed Moshtan's application to halt the travel ban imposed by the Minister of Justice.
Moshtan filed the request to suspend the travel ban until 30 days after the ruling on his main lawsuit seeking to cancel the second travel ban.
The court acknowledged that the second travel ban could cause Moshtan irreparable harm and that there was an urgent need to prevent such harm. However, it also expressed concerns that suspending the ban could negatively impact public welfare.
Moshtan previously made statements at a press conference in the United States last year, claiming that President Lee was involved in a murder case during his youth, which led to his detention in a juvenile facility and prevented him from attending middle and high school. The police have since charged Moshtan with defamation against the president.
On May 28, when Moshtan returned to South Korea, the police requested his presence for questioning. After he failed to comply, they sought a travel ban from the Ministry of Justice.
Subsequently, on July 1, the police transferred Moshtan to prosecutors on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, and the Ministry of Justice extended the travel ban until July 31.
Moshtan had previously filed a lawsuit and a request for suspension against the first travel ban, which was denied. His team has since filed an immediate appeal.
Additionally, Moshtan requested to disqualify the presiding judge in the first travel ban case, citing concerns about a fair trial, but this request was also denied, prompting him to file an immediate appeal.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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