President Roh Filed Lawsuit Seeking 2 Billion Won Against Four Dailies

President Roh Moo-hyun filed a lawsuit Wednesday claiming 3 billion won in damages against opposition lawmaker Kim Moon-su and four newspapers including the Dong-a, Chosun, JungAng, and Hankook dailies, which raised a suspicion over the president`s involvement in a real estate speculation.

lawsuit claimed 1 billion won against Kim and 500 million won each from the heads of the four dailies. The case marks the first time an incumbent president has filed a lawsuit against a legislator or the media.

Roh`s unusual step is drawing a keep public attention because it came after he had vowed to take legal action against inaccurate and inappropriate media reports.

In a written petition, Roh said, "Rep. Kim implemented acts of libel (against me) over the course of a few months and the newspapers reported Kim`s groundless allegations without undergoing fact-checking procedures, which brought disgrace on me.”