‘Jinsang’ Customer Management Business DB Search
Filed Defamation Complaint but Police Dismissed
If you request the operator to check the history of using a sex trade establishment through social networking services (SNS), the operator searches the contact information in their database (DB) and sends the results. Photo by Reader
Kim Sejung (35, pseudonym) was broken off from his engagement ahead of his wedding next year. The reason was that his fianc? checked his information through a 'Yuheng Detective.' Yuheng Detective charges money to look up personal information under the pretext of revealing visits to illegal prostitution establishments. The fianc? requested Kim's records of visits to entertainment establishments through social networking services (SNS), and 87 entries were found. Unable to trust Kim, the fianc? canceled the wedding. Kim said, "I have never used entertainment establishments for 15 years," and added, "I suffered damage because false information was circulating." Due to severe stress and shock, he has been taking psychiatric medication for depression and panic disorder for two months.
Park Hansol (39, pseudonym) visited a 24-hour massage parlor three years ago. Unaware that it was an illegal establishment where prostitution also took place, Park immediately refused and left when a woman entered. However, when Park also requested a search through Yuheng Detective, it was recorded as one visit to the establishment. Park said, "No matter how much I think about it, I never visited a prostitution establishment, but the record remained. I think the information was leaked from the massage parlor I mistakenly entered at that time."
The method of requesting through Yuheng Detective is simple. Requests and search results can be made and received via mobile messenger and applications. The database (DB) that Yuheng Detective searches is a kind of ledger managed by prostitution establishments. These establishments are known to share such ledgers with each other to prevent undercover police visits or to manage 'problematic' customers.
However, there are primary issues with the DB's reliability itself, such as incorrect information being entered by people visiting the establishments. People suffering from damages due to the leakage of false information are also appearing. Kim sued the operator of Yuheng Detective for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, but the police dismissed the case. Kim has appealed the decision. A representative from the Jungnang Police Station in Seoul stated, "The requirement of 'publicity' for defamation was not met," and added, "Even if sued under other charges, an investigation is necessary to make an accurate judgment."
Lawyer Hajinkyu (Founders Law Office) said, "There is a possibility of recognizing publicity. It may also violate the Personal Information Protection Act," and added, "Using this service itself can be punished under the Credit Information Use and Protection Act, and if the client knew it was illegal, they could be criminally liable for instigation."
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