Conservative Group Files Shocking Complaint Against Trump Ally Morse Tan - Why Did They Report Their Own Supporter?

The Unexpected Turn: When Conservative Allies Become Accusers

In a plot twist that has left many political observers scratching their heads, a conservative Korean civic group has filed defamation charges against Morse Tan, a Korean-American former U.S. diplomat who has been actively promoting conspiracy theories about South Korea's recent presidential election. The irony is palpable: the very group that should be Tan's natural ally has become his accuser.

Morse Tan, who served as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice during the first Trump administration, has been a vocal supporter of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and has repeatedly claimed that South Korea's June 3 presidential election was rigged. The Freedom Korea Patriotic Corps, a conservative group formed in 2017 to oppose the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, filed the complaint against Tan on July 8, 2025, accusing him of defaming President Lee Jae-myung through false statements made during a Washington D.C. press conference in June.

The complaint specifically targets Tan's claim that Lee was involved in gang rape and murder during his youth and was subsequently sent to a juvenile detention center, preventing him from completing middle and high school education. These allegations, which have been proven false by prosecutors in 2021, have created a complex web of political intrigue that reveals the fractured nature of South Korea's conservative movement.

Who is Morse Tan and Why Does He Matter?

Morse Tan, whose Korean name is Dan Hyun-myung, is currently the dean of Liberty University School of Law and senior executive director of the Center for Law and Government at Liberty University. His credentials are impressive: he served as a federal prosecutor and held a senior position in the Trump administration's State Department, making him a significant figure in conservative circles both in the United States and South Korea.

Tan's involvement in Korean politics began with his support for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whom he has dubbed the 'Donald Trump of Asia.' Following Yoon's controversial martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, which ultimately led to his impeachment and removal from office in April 2025, Tan has emerged as one of the most vocal international defenders of Yoon's actions. He has consistently argued that the martial law was a necessary defensive measure to protect South Korea's democratic order from what he claims is Chinese Communist Party infiltration and North Korean influence.

During his recent visit to Seoul in July 2025, Tan was scheduled to deliver a special lecture at Seoul National University, but the university canceled the event due to anticipated disruptions. Undeterred, Tan held his speech outside the university's main gate, where he continued to promote his conspiracy theories about election fraud and defended Yoon's martial law declaration to a crowd of conservative supporters.

The Freedom Korea Patriotic Corps: An Unlikely Prosecutor

The Freedom Korea Patriotic Corps, the group that filed the complaint against Tan, has a history that makes their action against him particularly puzzling. Formed in 2017 by supporters of former President Park Geun-hye who opposed her impeachment, the group has consistently aligned itself with hardline conservative positions. They have been vocal proponents of election fraud theories since 2020 and have repeatedly filed complaints against President Lee Jae-myung on various charges including treason.

The group's leader, Oh Sang-jong, has defended the complaint by stating that it was filed to protect South Korea's national dignity. In a phone interview with Yonhap News, Oh explained that the group was concerned about the spread of false information among the general public and the potential for additional individuals to become suspects in defamation cases. He emphasized that the complaint was necessary to prevent further damage to South Korea's international reputation.

However, the group's track record raises questions about their true motivations. Having consistently supported conspiracy theories and defended controversial actions like Yoon's martial law declaration, their sudden concern for combating false information appears inconsistent with their previous positions. This has led some observers to speculate that the complaint may have strategic political motivations rather than genuine concern for truth and national dignity.

The Conspiracy Theory That Won't Die

The specific allegations that Tan made against President Lee Jae-myung are not new. These conspiracy theories about Lee's alleged involvement in violent crimes during his youth have circulated in conservative circles for years. In 2021, prosecutors determined that these claims were false, and individuals who spread them were fined. The rumors suggested that Lee was involved in gang rape and murder as a teenager and was subsequently incarcerated in a juvenile detention center.

Public records submitted by Lee to election authorities ahead of the presidential election show that while he has been fined for several minor offenses including false accusation, impersonating a public official, and drunk driving, there is no evidence supporting claims of violent crimes or juvenile detention. The persistence of these false allegations highlights the toxic nature of political discourse in South Korea and the willingness of some actors to spread unsubstantiated claims for political gain.

Tan's decision to resurrect these debunked conspiracy theories during his Washington D.C. press conference in June 2025 represents a significant escalation in the spread of disinformation about South Korean politics. His status as a former U.S. government official lends an air of credibility to his claims among some audiences, making his promotion of false information particularly damaging to political discourse and international relations.

Seoul National University Protests and Campus Tensions

Tan's visit to Seoul in July 2025 was marked by significant controversy and protests. His scheduled appearance at Seoul National University was met with opposition from student groups who denounced him for undermining South Korea's democratic order and damaging the president's reputation. The university ultimately canceled his lecture, citing concerns about potential disruptions to education and research activities.

The cancellation of Tan's university lecture reflects broader tensions within South Korean society about the role of foreign actors in domestic politics. Student protesters accused Tan of exploiting the South Korea-U.S. alliance for far-right political purposes, highlighting concerns about foreign interference in Korean political discourse. The fact that a former U.S. government official was actively promoting conspiracy theories about South Korea's democratically elected president raised questions about the appropriate boundaries of international political engagement.

Despite the university's decision to deny him access to campus facilities, Tan proceeded with his speech outside the university's main gate, where he continued to promote his claims about election fraud and defend former President Yoon's martial law declaration. The outdoor rally attracted both supporters and protesters, creating a tense atmosphere that reflected the deep political divisions within South Korean society.

Police Investigation and Legal Implications

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Cyber Investigation Unit has been assigned to handle the case against Tan, and authorities are currently reviewing the complaint filed by the Freedom Korea Patriotic Corps. The investigation represents a significant legal challenge, as it involves a former U.S. government official who has since returned to the United States. Questions remain about whether substantial investigative action can be taken before Tan's scheduled departure from South Korea.

The case has prompted discussions about potential legal remedies, including exit bans or forced deportation, though such measures would require careful consideration of diplomatic implications given Tan's status as a former U.S. official. The ruling party has been particularly vocal in calling for strong action against Tan, viewing his statements as damaging to South Korea's international reputation and democratic institutions.

The legal proceedings also raise broader questions about the regulation of political speech and the responsibilities of foreign nationals when commenting on domestic political affairs. While freedom of expression is a fundamental principle in democratic societies, the spread of demonstrably false information about political leaders presents challenges for legal systems attempting to balance free speech rights with the need to protect individuals from defamation.

Political Motivations and Strategic Calculations

The decision by the Freedom Korea Patriotic Corps to file a complaint against Tan has generated considerable speculation about their true motivations. Given the group's history of supporting conspiracy theories and defending controversial conservative positions, their sudden concern about false information appears inconsistent with their previous behavior. Some observers have suggested that the complaint may represent a strategic calculation designed to bring greater attention to the conspiracy theories about President Lee while appearing to oppose them.

This interpretation suggests that the group may be attempting to publicize the false allegations about Lee's youth by requesting a police investigation, potentially hoping that the investigative process will give the conspiracy theories greater visibility and credibility. Such a strategy would represent a sophisticated form of political manipulation, using the legal system to amplify false information while maintaining plausible deniability about the group's true intentions.

Alternatively, the complaint may reflect genuine concerns within conservative circles about the damage that obviously false conspiracy theories can cause to their political movement. As South Korea's conservative parties attempt to rebuild following the impeachment of former President Yoon, they may be seeking to distance themselves from the most extreme elements of their coalition, including foreign actors who promote demonstrably false information about their political opponents.