President Yoon Suk-yeol (right) and First Lady Kim Keon-hee are waving their hands as they board Air Force One at Madrid Barajas International Airport after completing their visit to Spain on June 30 (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] In the first trial of the damages lawsuit filed by First Lady Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, against internet media personnel who disclosed conversations with her, her side argued that "the entire recording file must be submitted."
On the morning of the 7th, Judge Kim Ik-hwan of the Civil Division 201 at the Seoul Central District Court held the first hearing of the 100 million won damages claim filed by Kim against Baek Eun-jong, CEO, and reporter Lee Myung-soo, among others, affiliated with the media outlet 'Seoul's Voice.'
On this day, Kim's legal representative stated that they are claiming consolation damages due to 'illegal recording' by Seoul's Voice and the 'broadcasting despite a prior injunction,' which violates the injunction's intent. They added, "More than seven hours of conversation were recorded without the plaintiff's consent," and "This infringes on personality rights and privacy rights."
Furthermore, they emphasized, "To understand the parts that were edited in a biased manner, the entire recording file is necessary," and insisted that the recording files held by Seoul's Voice must be submitted.
On the other hand, Seoul's Voice argued, "This was a lawful journalistic activity, and we did not violate the injunction's intent," denying any illegality. Regarding the request to submit the recording files, they said, "Almost all parts have been broadcast, and there is no need to submit the parts that were not broadcast, so we see no reason to comply," adding, "This could be seen as prohibiting legitimate journalistic activities. The plaintiff made the same claim in the injunction case, but it was not accepted."
Judge Kim decided to determine whether to adopt the order to submit the recording files through future hearings and set the next hearing date for the 4th of next month.
Earlier, reporter Lee from 'Seoul's Voice' announced that he had recorded a conversation with First Lady Kim in January, ahead of the presidential election, and planned to disclose the content in collaboration with MBC. In response, Kim filed for an injunction against MBC and 'Seoul's Voice' to prevent the release of the recording files.
At that time, the injunction court ruled to allow disclosure except for some parts related to private life. Subsequently, MBC and 'Seoul's Voice' disclosed the conversation between Kim and reporter Lee through broadcasts and YouTube channels, respectively.
In response, on the 17th of the same month, Kim filed a damages lawsuit against Seoul's Voice seeking 100 million won. In the complaint, she introduced herself as "the spouse of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's 20th presidential candidate," and claimed, "The defendants' illegal recording and broadcasting in disregard of the court's injunction seriously infringed on my personality rights, honor, privacy rights, and voice rights."
Initially, Judge Kim ruled that it would be desirable to resolve the dispute through party negotiations and referred the case to mediation, but the mediation failed as the parties could not reach an agreement.
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