Tzyang Threat Allegations... "If Money Is Obtained by Threats, It Is Extortion; Joint Extortion Leads to Heavier Punishment"

"False Extortion Is Not a Crime Requiring Victim's Withdrawal... Investigation and Punishment Possible"

Mukbang YouTuber Jjuyang, who has 10.1 million subscribers, has been suspected of being financially threatened by expos? YouTubers. Attorney Ahn Jun-hyung stated, "If money was obtained through threats, it could constitute the crime of extortion."

Attorney Ahn appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 12th and said, "If YouTubers received money on the condition of revealing Jjuyang's secrets, it constitutes the completion of extortion. Even if they did not receive money, if they contacted with the intent to receive money and made some kind of threat, it could constitute attempted extortion." He added, "Extortion is not a crime that requires the victim's complaint, so even if the victim does not want punishment, the prosecution can investigate and punish."

Recently, the YouTube channel 'Garosero Research Institute' claimed that the so-called 'Rekka Alliance,' which includes YouTubers Karakula, Gujeyeok, Crocodile, and Jeon Guk-jin, threatened Jjuyang by using her past work at entertainment establishments as leverage. However, Karakula, Gujeyeok, and others have completely denied these claims.

Mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang. Photo by Tzuyang

Attorney Ahn also said, "It is still difficult to definitively conclude extortion, but if it is joint extortion, heavier punishment applies," adding, "Extortion has a very high rate of imprisonment, so if the allegations are proven true, very severe punishment can be expected." He criticized, "If YouTubers claim to be 'upholding justice' while exploiting the victim's weaknesses to extort money, it is an act that should be condemned."

Attorney Ahn mentioned that legal disputes caused by cyber Rekka YouTubers are also increasing recently. He said, "Rekka YouTubers do not only cover cases involving celebrities," and added, "Some YouTubers receive certain financial support from informants under the pretext of broadcasting production costs and then produce expos? videos."

He continued, "Since one side has already received money, fair reporting becomes impossible," and revealed, "No matter how much we clarify facts and present evidence, our opinions are all ignored. Instead, they have requested money by saying that additional broadcasts with the content we want require production costs."

Regarding solutions to the 'private sanctions' by some YouTubers, he pointed out that there are limitations with existing laws and emphasized the need for stronger regulations. He advised, "In foreign countries, even simple defamation by YouTubers is subject to punitive damages that can reach hundreds of billions of won. Increasing the amount of damages in civil lawsuits would lead to self-regulation among YouTubers."