"Sorry for the Suspicion" Apologies Flood Following Legal Action by Son Jeong-min's Friend A's Side

Late Son Jeongmin's Friend A's Side Announces Legal Action Against Fake News
Some YouTubers Sued... Over 600 'Appeal for Leniency' Messages Flood In
A's Side: "Thousands Will Be Sued Except Those Requesting Leniency"

Attorney Eunsoo Lee (right), legal representative of A, a friend of the late Jeongmin Son, answering questions from reporters as he entered the Seocho Police Station in Seoul on the 1st. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "From now on, I will only observe. Please forgive me."

After the friend of the late Son Jung-min, Mr. A, announced legal action against various fake news spreading online, messages from netizens pleading for leniency have poured in. Previously, various suspicions targeting Mr. A were raised on YouTube and online communities. One YouTuber even baselessly speculated that Mr. A might be colluding with those in power.

Lee Eunsoo, attorney at law firm One & Partners and legal representative of Mr. A, stated on the 7th, "The spread of false information through YouTube is a serious social issue," adding, "We have submitted a complaint as Mr. A and his family's honor has been severely damaged."

According to Attorney Lee, One & Partners plans to file additional complaints not only against YouTubers who spread false information about Mr. A but also against online cafe operators, community post authors, and malicious commenters.

Earlier, on the 4th, One & Partners released a statement on their official website saying, "We plan to sue those who spread false information and malicious comments about Mr. A, his family, and acquaintances." The actual complaint was filed three days later.

During this period, it is reported that over 630 text messages and emails pleading for forgiveness were received from netizens who had spread various falsehoods. Some of the messages disclosed by One & Partners include a university student apologizing, saying, "I am truly sorry for doubting Mr. A." Another netizen said, "Jungmin's case felt like a family matter, so I got emotional," and asked for forgiveness, adding, "I didn't realize Mr. A would be having a hard time."

On the morning of the 7th, members of the People Seeking the Truth of the Banpo Hangang Incident (Banjinsa) held a press conference in front of the Seocho Police Station in Seocho-gu, Seoul, demanding a full reinvestigation of the Jeongmin case and the reclassification of companion A as a suspect. / Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding this, One & Partners emphasized, "Except for those hoping for leniency, we will sue at least tens of thousands of people," and added, "We will handle the cases appropriately considering various circumstances and situations."

Previously, some YouTubers and netizens caused controversy by indiscriminately spreading false information about Mr. A. The operator of the YouTube channel 'Jongiui TV,' who was sued by Mr. A, posted 56 videos related to Jungmin's death incident, claiming that "Mr. A caused this accident."

On the 29th of last month, after the SBS investigative program 'Unanswered Questions' (Geugal) aired, he started a live broadcast and criticized, "'Geugal' was entirely a broadcast for Mr. A. I believe there is significant collusion with power," and asked, "Mr. A is not a celebrity, so why is he playing the media like this?"

At that time, this YouTuber responded to 'Geugal's' criticism that he was creating conspiracy theories and conducting a witch hunt against Mr. A by saying, "I never spread fake news. They criticize me and other YouTubers as fake, but we talk about common sense, rational, and objective matters."

On the 10th of last month, malicious comments from netizens were posted on the review page of a hospital in Seoul on 'Kakao Map.' / Photo by Internet homepage capture

In online spaces, some netizens labeled Mr. A as a suspect and bombarded the presumed workplace of Mr. A's family with 'comment bombs,' pouring out criticism.

On some internet communities, Mr. A's face photo and personal information such as his alma mater were disclosed, and conspiracy theories spread suggesting that investigations into Mr. A were delayed due to the police's 'slow investigation.'

As the controversy grew, a police officer posted on the anonymous workplace online community 'Blind,' saying, "Investigations are confidential by principle," and appealed, "If baseless conspiracy theories keep spreading, work will pile up, and the investigation could be further delayed."