[Comprehensive] Jo Deok-je Sentenced to Prison, Ban Min-jung: "'Freedom of Expression' Is Not, But a 'Clear Act of Violence'"

"This case is not just simple gossip but a serious social issue"

Actor Ban Min-jeong / Photo by Ban Min-jeong (Instagram capture)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Jo Deokje (53), who was prosecuted for defamation against an actress he sexually harassed, was sentenced to prison and taken into custody in court on the 15th.

The victim, actress Ban Minjung, emphasized, "I hope this ruling will remain a meaningful precedent," adding, "These cases are not mere gossip but serious social issues."

In a statement posted on her Instagram that day, Ban Minjung said, "I ask those who continue to spread false information or engage in illegal acts regarding me or the case to recognize the truth and stop their harmful actions."

She continued, "The claims made by the defendant Jo Deokje and his cohabitant Mr. Jeong through posts and broadcasts have all been confirmed as false through the criminal ruling," explaining, "The court declared today that the actions of defendants Jo Deokje and Mr. Jeong are not within the realm of 'freedom of expression' but are 'clear acts of harm.'"

She then revealed, "I have suffered greatly for about six years," and added, "Despite the fact that all the fake news created by the defendants and their acquaintances, interviews given by the defendants after the sexual crime conviction, press conferences, internet cafes, Facebook, and YouTube broadcasts, as well as the posts and videos they uploaded, were all false, I was branded by the public as a false accuser, a blackmailer, and an abuser of power, losing everything."

Ban Minjung emphasized, "It took time, but today I achieved a guilty verdict," and said, "The reason I endured until the end was not only to have the falsehood legally recognized but also to give hope to other sexual crime victims that as long as they live, the truth will eventually be revealed."

On November 7, 2017, actor Jo Deok-jae expressed his position regarding the sexual harassment controversy involving an actress at a rebuttal press conference held at P&T Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, on the same day, Judge Park Changwoo of the Criminal Division 2 at Uijeongbu District Court sentenced Jo Deokje, who was indicted without detention on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, insult, and violation of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act (confidentiality breach), to 1 year and 2 months in prison and ordered his immediate detention in court. The court also sentenced Jo's cohabitant, Mr. Jeong, who was indicted on the same charges, to 6 months in prison with a 2-year probation.

The court stated, "Mr. Jo made unilateral assumptions and presented false facts," and "He produced and posted videos different from the actual scene of the forced molestation, making it appear as if the victim gave false testimony."

Jo Deokje was indicted on charges of repeatedly posting false information online and elsewhere to defame Ban Minjung between 2017 and 2018, while his sexual harassment trial was ongoing.

Meanwhile, Jo Deokje was prosecuted for forcibly touching Ban Minjung's body parts without prior consent during a film shoot in April 2015. In September 2018, the Supreme Court upheld the original sentence of 1 year in prison with 2 years probation and 40 hours of sexual violence treatment program completion for Jo Deokje.