Jo Jae-hyun Wins 'MeToo Lawsuit'... Woman Who Alleged Sexual Assault Withdraws Appeal

Actor Jo Jae-hyun. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A plaintiff identified as A, who filed a damages lawsuit claiming she was sexually assaulted by actor Jo Jae-hyun (56) and lost the case, has abandoned her appeal.

On the 26th, the Seoul Central District Court announced that since A did not file an appeal within the two-week appeal period after the judgment, the original ruling has been finalized. On the 8th, the court ruled against A in the damages claim lawsuit she filed against Jo Jae-hyun, citing lack of evidence.

Previously, in July 2018, A filed a damages claim lawsuit seeking 300 million KRW against Jo Jae-hyun, alleging that she was sexually assaulted by him in 2004 when she was 17 years old. The court initially decided on compulsory mediation, but since A did not accept it, the trial proceeded again.

Jo Jae-hyun’s side argued that "when we met, she was an adult, not a minor, and there was no forced sexual intercourse." They also pointed out that the statute of limitations had already passed, so the right to claim damages could not be exercised.

At the first hearing of the damages claim lawsuit, Jo Jae-hyun’s side stated, "We acknowledge that we met during the summer of the year the plaintiff claims, but deny the rest. Since the defendant is a celebrity, whether true or not, if a lawsuit is filed, they have no choice but to pay money and settle."

Meanwhile, Jo Jae-hyun apologized to the public and suspended his activities following allegations from multiple women during the 2018 'Me Too' movement.