Foot-and-Mouth Disease Denies Allegations of "No Threatening"… Tzuyang to Appear in Court Personally

Suwon District Court Dismisses Application for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Public Trial Participation

YouTuber Tzuyang (Park Jung-won), who has over 10 million subscribers, is reportedly scheduled to testify in court in the trial of YouTuber Gujaeyeok (Lee Jun-hee), who has been indicted on extortion charges related to her.

'10 million mukbang YouTuber' Jjuyang. [Image source=YouTube capture]

According to the legal community on the 19th, the Suwon District Court Criminal Division 14 will conduct witness examination of Tzuyang during the second trial on extortion charges against Gujaeyeok, Jujakgambalsa (Jeon Guk-jin), Karakula (Lee Se-wook), Crocodile (Choi Il-hwan), and lawyer Choi, scheduled for the 15th of next month.

Gujaeyeok’s defense attorney stated the day before, "The defendant agreed to a contract first requested by the victim’s agency officials to manage YouTubers who receive tips on private matters so that they do not spread private information," adding, "Under no circumstances did the defendant make threatening remarks or acts toward the victim or the agency." He further explained, "(The leak of Tzuyang’s private information) was caused by an unidentified person currently wanted who leaked the defendant’s phone data and delivered it to the victim’s side and the YouTube channel Garoseuro Yeonguso, causing controversy," and added, "Although the victim’s private information was leaked and the agency may have negative feelings toward the defendant, it is unacceptable to distort the facts and file a complaint as a victim of threats belatedly."

Lawyer Choi’s defense attorney also denied all related charges, stating, "He did not conspire with Gujaeyeok in the crime." Tzuyang was selected as a witness due to the prosecution’s burden of proof and the denial of related charges by Gujaeyeok and lawyer Choi’s side.

Jujakgambalsa’s side did not express their position on the charges during the first trial as they were unable to review the evidence records. However, they stated, "We admit all charges and reflect on our crimes." Karakula and Crocodile denied aiding and abetting extortion against Tzuyang during the first trial. However, Karakula’s lawyer requested bail from the court, saying, "We agree with all evidence related to the case and only seek legal judgment on the charges," and "Considering the possibility of a prolonged trial and the defendant’s responsibility for their family, please take this into account."

Additionally, the court dismissed Gujaeyeok’s request for a jury trial, stating, "This case is not subject to a citizen participation trial, and all defendants except the defendant do not wish for a jury trial, so the trial will proceed through the usual procedure."

At the next hearing on the 30th, witness examinations will be conducted for four other persons related to victim B’s case involving extortion charges against Gujaeyeok and others, in addition to Tzuyang.

YouTuber Gujeoyeok. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, earlier, Gujaeyeok and Jujakgambalsa were indicted in February 2023 on charges of extorting 55 million won from Tzuyang by threatening, saying, "We received tips about your tax evasion and private life. If you pay money, we will not publicize it." Karakula and Crocodile were charged with encouraging extortion against Gujaeyeok on the grounds that "it is more profitable to directly extort money rather than posting expos? videos about Tzuyang."

Also, lawyer Choi is accused of threatening Tzuyang and A, Tzuyang’s ex-boyfriend and former agency representative, whom he first came to know through a civil lawsuit A filed against a restaurant in October 2021. At that time, he was the legal representative for the restaurant (defendant), and it is understood that he provided personal information related to Tzuyang and A, which he learned during the lawsuit process, to Gujaeyeok.