A Hong Kong political commentator charged with revealing details of a national security probe has testified that he did not believe an investigation was underway.

Wong On-yin’s YouTube Channel. Photo: Screenshot, via YouTube.

Wong Kwok-ngon, known by his pen name Wong On-yin, continued his testimony at the District Court on Tuesday.

The 72-year-old, who is representing himself, was arrested last December after publishing two YouTube videos discussing a meeting with national security police that took place the day before.

Revealing details of a national security investigation is a crime under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), the city’s homegrown security law known locally as Article 23.

National security police had brought him in to discuss a press conference about the fatal Wang Fuk Court fire, which had occurred days earlier, at which Wong was scheduled to speak.

In response to the prosecution’s questions, Wong confirmed that he did say in his video that he met the officers at Mong Kok Police Station, and that he described their ages and appearances.

But he said he had put in considerable thought before publishing the videos, and that it was his judgement that police were not carrying out an investigation. Wong said he believed the meeting’s purpose was just for officers to stop the press conference from going ahead.

District Court in Wan Chai. File photo: HKFP.

Wong added that officers asked him what he planned to talk about during the press conference – which was eventually called off – and whether he had collaborated with any organisations.

Therefore, he did not think there was a problem with talking about the meeting, he said.

He also told the court that police handed him a confidentiality agreement during the meeting, but that he “basically did not look at it.”

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Tuesday marked the 12th day of the trial, in which Wong is representing himself. During the first day of his testimony, he told the court that he held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law.

On Tuesday, Wong also said he did not consider it an act of disclosure when the information being discussed was already known to the public.

Wong On-yin. Photo: Screenshot, via YouTube.

Wong said the media had already reported the news that he had been taken in by national security police.

When asked by the prosecution whether what he said in the videos – including the people he met with and what was discussed – went beyond what was reported in the media, Wong agreed.

Wong also faces a sedition charge in relation to 30 commentary videos he posted between January and December last year.

Tuesday’s hearing began with Wong playing four videos from his YouTube channel that were not among those 30.

In those four videos, Wong talked about topics such as the Wang Fuk Court fire. For example, he spoke on controversies in renovation projects and the removal of four investigative articles by state-backed outlet Ta Kung Pao about the construction at the housing estate.

He told the court he wanted to give a more complete picture of his commentary, and that he had never incited the public to take part in any action.

The trial will continue on Wednesday.