Cho Kuk's Side Partially Wins Second Trial in Defamation Lawsuit Against Gaseyeon for 'Spreading False Information'

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and his children won a partial victory in the appeal trial of a damages claim lawsuit filed against the YouTube channel Garoseuro Research Institute (Gaseyeon) for spreading false information about him and his family.

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Seoul High Court Civil Division 8-2 (Presiding Judges Kim Bong-won, Choi Seung-won, Kim Tae-ho) ruled on the 10th that Cho and his two children partially won the damages claim lawsuit filed against Gaseyeon, its representative Kim Se-ui, former operator Kang Yong-seok, and the late Kim Yong-ho.

On this day, the court ordered Gaseyeon and others to pay Cho 10 million won, his daughter Cho Min 25 million won, and his son Cho Won 10 million won. The compensation amounts for Cho and Cho Won were the same, while the amount for Cho Min was reduced by 5 million won. The court also ordered the deletion of videos containing false information within seven days.

Previously, Cho and his children filed a lawsuit in August 2020 claiming 300 million won for false information and defamation. At that time, Gaseyeon broadcasted content on YouTube stating that "Chinese Communist Party funds entered the private equity fund operated by Cho," "Cho favored a specific actress," and "Cho Min drives a Porsche."

The first trial court ordered Gaseyeon to pay Cho 10 million won, his daughter Cho Min 30 million won, and his son Cho Won 10 million won, totaling 50 million won, and to delete the related videos within seven days.