Actor Jung Joon: "The United Future Party sued me just because I said I like Moon... Is this really Korea?"

Actor Jung Joon. Photo by Jung Joon (Instagram capture)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Shin-won] Actor Jung Joon has expressed his position regarding being sued by the Future United Party's member group.

On the 20th, Jung Joon appeared on YTN Radio's 'Noh Young-hee's Start of a New Morning' and said, "I have never been involved in politics, and I was sued because they viewed negatively the fact that, as a citizen, I expressed liking President Moon Jae-in," adding, "I think it was because of the general election period, but I hope they become a bit wiser."

He said, "I did not act as Jung Joon the person, but wrote opinions as a citizen through my ID, so I was surprised that the party sued me," and added, "As a citizen, I wondered, what is this? Where is this? Is this really South Korea? It made me think that much."

He continued, "I did not use unreasonable insults; I just expressed that those people (Future United Party lawmakers) did not look good as citizens and questioned why they behaved that way," and added, "For example, when Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn shaved his head, I commented that, in my view, he looked frustrated because he was not entering the National Assembly and was just shaving his head."

He also said, "I did not insult the Future United Party as a public figure named Jung Joon," and added, "What I cannot understand is that this is a democracy, isn't it? It is unacceptable for a party to sue me."

Regarding withdrawing the lawsuit after the Future United Party sued him following his lawsuit against malicious commenters, he explained, "There is a difference between suing malicious commenters who used unspeakable insults and being sued personally by the party," and added, "Nevertheless, I made the decision because I was worried that people might see my lawsuit and the party's lawsuit against me as the same."

Finally, addressing the malicious commenters, he said, "(Malicious comments) cause such great pain that one cannot sleep. The idea that public figures or celebrities must endure this is wrong."

Earlier, Jung Joon had expressed support for President Moon and announced that he would sue netizens who left malicious comments on his social network service (SNS) accounts.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that Jung Joon had previously posted comments criticizing Future United Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn's hunger strike on portal sites, and when the Future United Party member group announced plans to sue 21 malicious commenters including Jung Joon, he withdrew his lawsuit against the netizens who left malicious comments about him.

Regarding this, the Future United Party member group stated, "It was not the Future United Party but the member group that filed the lawsuit against Jung Joon," and added, "Jung Joon is mistaken."

Also, in an interview with 'Hankyung.com' on the same day, the member group said, "I am appalled by the double standard where malicious comments I make are considered freedom of expression, but those made by others are seen as painful," and added, "In the case of ordinary netizens, we are willing to withdraw complaints if a proper apology is made, but the lawsuit against Jung Joon will proceed to the end."