On January 15, the Incheon District Court handed down its decision after a trial involving YouTuber A, who was indicted on charges of defamation and insults under the Information and Communication Network Act. Judge Kim Saet-byeol, presiding over the case, ruled that A’s actions caused significant harm to the victims, leading to the prison sentence with a three-year suspension. The court also imposed a fine of 210 million won, alongside 120 hours of mandated community service.
A, a 36-year-old woman, was accused of uploading 23 videos between October 2021 and June 2023, in which she spread false and damaging rumors about seven well-known public figures, including IVE’s Jang Wonyoung, aespa’s Karina, and several other famous K-pop idols. Reports confirm that through these defamatory videos, A generated approximately 250 million won over two years, capitalizing on the attention these harmful rumors garnered.
The case took a significant turn when Jang Wonyoung, the most prominent victim, filed a lawsuit against A, seeking damages for the harm caused by the continuous spread of false information. Jang Wonyoung’s legal team successfully won the case in January of the previous year, and the court ordered A to pay 100 million won in damages for defamation.
This verdict serves as a reminder of the legal consequences faced by individuals who use social media to spread harmful rumors and defame public figures. It also highlights the importance of protecting the reputations and mental health of celebrities who are often vulnerable to online harassment and misinformation.