Court Sentences 3 Million Won Fine in First Trial
A woman in her 30s who was charged with leaving malicious comments about singer IU was sentenced to a fine in the first trial.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 16 (Judge Lee Kyung-sun) on the 3rd sentenced Ms. A, in her 30s, who was tried for the charge of insult, to a fine of 3 million won. Previously, the prosecution had requested a four-month prison sentence for Ms. A.
The court stated, "The commonly used meaning or expression is judged to be insulting and contemptuous personal attacks in the context."
Earlier, Ms. A's side argued that "only partially insulting expressions were used while expressing opinions based on objective facts," but the court did not accept this.
Ms. A is accused of posting four comments online in April 2022 that disparaged IU's outfits and singing skills. During the trial, Ms. A also pleaded for leniency, saying, "I suffer from a mental illness, so my writing skills are poor."
Meanwhile, IU's agency, Edam Entertainment, released an official statement regarding the lawsuit against malicious commenters on the 11th of last month. It is reported that the agency has filed complaints against about 180 people over last year and this year.
Edam Entertainment stated, "Our company and our artists clearly declare that there will be no settlement or leniency toward malicious commenters," and warned, "We will continue to respond strongly to those who write malicious posts, so we ask that illegal activities on online platforms be stopped."
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