[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Lee Sang-ho, a reporter from Gobal News who was indicted on charges of spreading false information about Seo Hae-soon, the wife of the late singer Kim Kwang-seok, fully denied the charges at the first trial, stating that he had no intention of damaging Seo's reputation.
Lee's defense attorney on the 1st claimed at the first preparatory hearing of the defamation case held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 22 (Presiding Judge Yang Cheol-han) that "there was no intent to defame a specific person." Since the defendant was not required to appear in person at the preparatory hearing, Lee did not attend.
Lee's side argued in court that "the prosecution filed charges claiming the defendant stated false facts, but the defendant's actions were statements of fact," and "therefore, it falls under 'matters of public interest,' which constitutes a justification for illegality."
Regarding the insult charge for referring to Seo as a 'devil,' Lee's defense emphasized that "there was no criminal intent of insult, and it was merely a rude expression."
Singer the late Kim Kwang-seok's wife, Seo Hae-soon, is responding to reporters' questions after appearing as a defendant at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 12th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Lee had raised the possibility that Kim Kwang-seok died due to his spouse Seo through a film he produced and press conferences. He was indicted on charges of defaming Seo by spreading false information.
In the related civil trial, Lee was already held responsible for defaming Seo, and rulings ordering him to compensate damages were issued in both the first and second trials.
Lee's defense requested the court to hold a jury trial, but the court stated that it would further review the possibility due to reasons such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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