[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The fines have been finalized for YouTubers who were tried on charges of insulting Jeong Gyeong-sim, former Dongyang University professor and wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, by mocking her wearing an eye patch.
The Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Noh Jeong-hee) on the 2nd upheld the original sentence of a 2 million won fine in the appeal trial of YouTubers Park and Yeom, who were indicted on charges of insult.
They were prosecuted for making insulting remarks while imitating Jeong attending court in YouTube broadcasts from June to September 2020. The two even mocked Jeong by reenacting her wearing an eye patch.
On July 23, 2020, they insulted Jeong, who appeared at the Seoul Central District Court, saying things like, "Don't drive wearing an eye patch. Driving with an eye patch is an act of murder."
The first trial judged their actions to exceed satire or harmlessness and sentenced them to a 2 million won fine. The second trial also maintained the first trial's judgment, stating, "Considering the circumstances at the time, it is difficult to deny that the defendants had the intent to insult, and it corresponds to expressing contemptuous feelings."
The Supreme Court also agreed with the lower courts' rulings, stating, "There is no error in exceeding the limits of free evaluation or in misunderstanding the legal principles regarding the establishment of the crime of insult."
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