Prosecutors Appeal 1 Year 6 Months Sentence for 50s Man in 'Baehyeonjin Stalking' Case

"Severe Defamation of Victim's Honor and Induction of Fear"

A man in his 50s who stalked People Power Party lawmaker Baek Hyun-jin and continuously posted sexually insulting and defamatory remarks was sentenced to prison in the first trial, prompting the prosecution to appeal.

Baek Hyun-jin, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office announced on the 6th that it has filed an appeal against the first trial verdict sentencing Choi (59), who was indicted for violating the Stalking Punishment Act and other charges, to 1 year and 6 months in prison. Previously, the prosecution had requested a 3-year prison sentence along with an electronic monitoring order in the first trial.

The prosecution stated, "The defendant's crimes were committed continuously over more than a month, hundreds of times, and continued even after the court's provisional measures were imposed," adding, "Given the extreme degree of defamation and fear caused to the victim, a heavier sentence should be imposed."

Choi is accused of causing a disturbance at the funeral hall during the mourning period for Baek's relative on March 17, claiming, "I am engaged to the lawmaker. We have been in continuous contact."

Additionally, Choi is known to have continuously spread sexually insulting remarks and false information about Baek through social networking services (SNS).