Park Suhong, Private Testimony in Sister-in-Law's Trial for 'Defamation by False Facts'

"Hyungsu's Claim is False, Demand Severe Punishment"
Testimony Kept Confidential to Protect Victim

Broadcaster Park Suhong appeared as a witness at the trial of his sister-in-law, Lee, who was indicted for spreading false information about his private life, and testified about the damages he suffered.

On the 10th, Judge Kang Young-gi of the Criminal Division 9 at the Seoul Western District Court held a hearing on Lee's case and conducted a closed-door victim witness examination for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The court accepted Park's side's request for a closed hearing to protect his privacy.

Broadcaster Park Soo-hong. [Source=Yonhap News]

After the trial, Park's representative stated, "Although we cannot disclose specific details, there were personal attacks unrelated to the matter from the defendant's side," adding, "Park calmly testified that all the defendant's claims were false and urged for severe punishment of the defendant."

Lee is charged with defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act for sending messages containing false information in a KakaoTalk group chat, claiming that Park "lived with a woman during his broadcast appearances." She is also accused of defaming Park by falsely claiming that "my money was embezzled by the sister-in-law and brother."

Separately from this case, Lee and her husband, Park's brother Jin-hong, who managed Park's management, are on trial for embezzling billions of won from company funds and personal finances under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. In February, the first trial court sentenced Jin-hong to two years in prison, finding him guilty of embezzling about 2 billion won of corporate funds, while Lee was acquitted. However, the prosecution appealed the verdict. Jin-hong also appealed, leading to ongoing legal battles in the second trial.