Park Soo-hong's sister-in-law fined 12 million won in defamation appeal for false information... original trial verdict upheld

Park Soo-hong’s sister-in-law, Ms. Lee, was found guilty again in the appellate court on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act. On the 23rd, the 1st Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court sentenced Ms. Lee to a fine of 12 million won, the same as the first trial, during the appellate sentencing hearing. Ms. Lee was indicted for spreading false information in a KakaoTalk group chat, including statements such as ″Park Soo-hong’s words are lies,″ ″Park Soo-hong is cohabiting with a woman,″ and ″Park Soo-hong lived with a woman,″ thereby defaming Park Soo-hong. The appellate court ruled that the content posted by Ms. Lee in the chatroom constituted clear false statements and upheld the original fine. Earlier, at the second trial’s closing hearing, the prosecution requested a 10-month prison sentence, stating, ″She defamed a celebrity by making false statements in a group chat, the crime is not minor, and she denies the charges without showing remorse. She has not taken any measures to restore the victim’s damages, and the victim also demands severe punishment.″ Ms. Lee’s defense attorney argued during the trial, ″It is difficult to say that the prosecution’s facts were proven beyond a reasonable doubt,″ and ″The main motive was explanation, not defamation. The response was largely defensive.″ In her final statement, Ms. Lee said, ″Although it was a very personal conversation with acquaintances, I apologize for causing pain to Park Soo-hong and Kim Da-ye through this conversation,″ adding, ″I realized how foolish and shameful my actions were. I deeply reflect on this and will ensure such things never happen again. I will be a mother who is not ashamed in front of my children,″ seeking leniency, but the court maintained its ruling. Meanwhile, Park Soo-hong’s older brother, Mr. Park, was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison by the Supreme Court in February for embezzling funds from the entertainment agency’s corporation and appearance fees. The first trial for the approximately 9.8 billion won damages lawsuit filed by Park Soo-hong against his older brother and his wife is scheduled for September 11 at the 12th Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court.