Former Manager's Prison Sentence with Probation Confirmed in 'Shin Hyun-jun Propofol' Allegation

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The former manager who raised allegations of actor Shin Hyunjoon's 'gapjil' and illegal propofol use, and was sued by Shin Hyunjoon, has had his suspended prison sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court.

On the morning of the 23rd, the Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Oh Seokjun) upheld the lower court's ruling sentencing former manager Kim to 8 months in prison with a 2-year suspension in the defamation case. The court stated, "There is no error in the lower court's judgment regarding the establishment of the crime of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act."

Actor Shin Hyun-joon

Kim was prosecuted in early 2021 on charges of claiming through entertainment media that while working as Shin Hyunjoon's manager in July 2020, he was subjected to verbal abuse and unfair treatment such as running errands for Shin Hyunjoon's family.

Kim also filed a police complaint alleging Shin Hyunjoon's illegal use of propofol, and later sued Shin Hyunjoon for defamation after Shin denied these allegations.

The first and second trials both sentenced Kim to a suspended prison term. The first trial court pointed out, "The defendant maliciously caused articles to be published in influential media with the clear intent to damage the victim's social reputation and honor," adding, "In court, the defendant repeatedly claimed to be the victim, while the victim has petitioned for severe punishment."

However, the court acquitted some charges on the grounds that "it cannot be concluded that Kim was aware that the allegations regarding illegal propofol use were false." The second trial court added, "Considering that the defendant's report was written into articles and posted with sensational headlines by journalists from a certain internet news outlet."

Shin Hyunjoon's agency released a statement during Kim's first trial, saying, "Shin Hyunjoon and his family have endured a very painful time due to false defamation," and "We hope that acts aimed at socially destroying a person will never happen again."