Citizens Who Filed Compensation Lawsuit Against Park Geun-hye for 'State Affairs Manipulation' Lose Again in Appeal Trial

Former President Park Geun-hye.

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] A general citizen filed a lawsuit against former President Park Geun-hye seeking compensation for mental damages caused by the state corruption scandal, but lost again in the appellate court.

The 35th Civil Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Hyeongwon Bae) ruled on the 18th that the plaintiffs, over 4,000 citizens including Mr. Jeong, lost the appeal in the damages claim lawsuit against former President Park.

The court stated, "Even if the defendant (former President Park) infringed upon national and social legal interests, the public's reaction and interest toward crimes that violate public legal interests can vary from person to person."

It added, "Although some citizens may have felt subjective emotions such as anger due to the defendant's unlawful acts in office and the resulting series of events, it cannot be concluded that all citizens suffered mental distress to a degree warranting compensation."

The court also pointed out, "Since not all citizens can be said to have suffered mental damages due to the defendant's actions, the plaintiffs must individually prove such damages, but there is no evidence whatsoever."

Mr. Jeong and others filed the lawsuit in January 2017, claiming mental suffering and damages caused by the state corruption scandal, demanding compensation of 500,000 won per person, totaling over 2 billion won.

Previously, the first trial acknowledged that former President Park committed unlawful acts related to her duties while in office, but ruled against the plaintiffs on the grounds that the president does not bear legal obligations toward the rights of individual citizens.