Court Upholds Guilty Verdict Against YouTuber Who Defamed Jang Wonyoung

Starship Entertainment has confirmed that the Supreme Court has finalized a guilty verdict against the operator of the YouTube channel Talduk Suyongso (탈덕수용소), who repeatedly spread defamatory content targeting IVE member Jang Wonyoung.

Supreme Court Confirms Lower Court Ruling

According to Starship, the Supreme Court upheld the original ruling issued by a lower court, finding the YouTuber guilty of spreading false information and committing defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.

The court ruled that even when unverified claims are presented in the form of speculation or “questions,” they can still constitute the distribution of false information if they lead viewers to perceive them as factual. The judgment emphasized that public figures, including entertainers, are entitled to full protection of their reputation and personal rights. The Supreme Court determined that there was no legal error in the lower court’s interpretation and confirmed the verdict in full.

Sentencing and Financial Penalties

The defendant was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for three years, along with 120 hours of community service. The court also ordered the forfeiture of approximately 2.1 billion won in illegal profits generated through the defamatory videos. The YouTuber had uploaded 23 videos targeting Jang Wonyoung and six other public figures between October 2021 and June 2023, earning substantial revenue through the channel.

Starship: “No Leniency, No Settlements”

In its statement, Starship emphasized that it considers the protection of its artists’ rights a top priority. The agency said it will continue to pursue strict legal action without compromise against individuals who engage in false accusations, defamation, personal attacks, or violations of artists’ dignity and rights. Starship also addressed so-called “cyber wrecker” content creators those who exploit anonymity to spread misinformation for profit stating that criminal complaints and all available legal measures will be pursued under applicable laws.

Ongoing Monitoring and Future Action

Starship confirmed that it will maintain ongoing monitoring efforts to prevent similar incidents from recurring and will respond promptly to any future violations. The agency previously used legal procedures in both Korea and the United States, including the U.S. discovery process, to identify the operator behind the anonymous channel.