Asia Economy Honam Headquarters, Strong Response to Unauthorized Image Use

Suspicion of Intent to Undermine Credibility in Reports of Female Victim's Suicide by Poisoning After Accusing Park Hong-ryul of Sexual Harassment

Reporter B from media outlet A illegally used the image of Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters while transcribing the statement distributed by candidate Park Hong-ryul, who was accused of sexual harassment, and also provided an explanation that was factually incorrect.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Jae-kyung] Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters has decided to take strong action against media outlet A for unauthorized use of its image and false statements in the image description related to the report on the woman who accused independent candidate Park Hong-ryul, mayoral candidate of Mokpo, of sexual harassment and attempted suicide by poisoning on the 23rd.

On the 23rd, Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters published a report stating that the female victim who accused Park Hong-ryul, candidate for mayor of Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, of sexual harassment chose to attempt suicide by poisoning as a second victimization and is currently in an unconscious state.

However, on the 25th, reporter B of media outlet A used an illustration from the Honam Reporting Headquarters without permission while reporting on a statement issued by candidate Park Hong-ryul, and also included false information in the description, causing serious damage.

Media outlet A explained that the illustration was used with a source indicating it was provided by the Park Hong-ryul campaign and that it was used alongside text accusing the opposing candidate of shifting responsibility for the woman who attempted suicide by poisoning onto candidate Park.

However, upon checking the text messages, it was found that they only contained demands to stop the secondary victimization and apologies to candidate Park and his supporters, as well as internet links to four media outlets, which contradicts the image description.

In particular, the urgent statement sent by candidate Park Hong-ryul’s side on the 25th, who was accused of sexual harassment, contained no images at all.

Candidate Park’s side stated, “We did not provide any images when distributing the urgent statement press release,” and added, “We will check why the image was used.”

Therefore, it is suspected that reporter B of media outlet A intended to associate the image, directly produced by Asia Economy Honam Headquarters, with a specific candidate in order to undermine the credibility of the report on the sexual harassment victim’s suicide attempt by poisoning.

When inquiring with media outlet A about this, they evaded the question by replying, “We do not have knowledge about the report content; please contact the reporter in charge who wrote the article.”

Attempts to contact reporter B were unsuccessful as calls were not answered, and requests for corrections and image deletion via social media were also ignored.

Meanwhile, according to Article 136, Paragraph 1 of the Copyright Act, image theft infringes on reproduction and distribution rights, and if infringed by reproduction or distribution, it is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million KRW.

Dissemination of false information may also be punishable under the Criminal Act or the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc., for defamation or obstruction of business.