The sister-in-law, Ms. Lee (53), who was fined for spreading false information about broadcaster Park Suhong (54), and the prosecution have both appealed the first trial verdict.
According to the Seoul Western District Court on the 17th, Ms. Lee submitted an appeal against the first trial verdict on defamation charges under the Information and Communications Network Act. Prior to this, the prosecution also filed an appeal against the first trial verdict the day before. The court had sentenced Ms. Lee to a fine of 12 million won in the first trial held on the 11th.
At that time, the court stated, "The defendant committed the crime to shape public opinion favorably amid legal disputes involving embezzlement by herself and her husband, which attracted public attention. It appears that she had a strong intent to defame the victim, and not only sent defamatory messages in a chat room but also planned and executed further dissemination through comments on internet articles, showing a bad nature of the crime."
It added, "Given the victim's professional characteristics, the degree of defamation is significant, and the false information continues to spread on the internet, causing ongoing damage. The defendant has made unreasonable excuses by citing her and her family's situation and has not sought forgiveness from the victim."
Ms. Lee's side has argued that the information shared with acquaintances was true and that there was justifiable reason to believe it was factual, denying any intent to defame. However, the court judged that the false information was transmitted with the purpose of defamation.
Ms. Lee was prosecuted for sending messages containing false information such as Park living with a woman during his broadcast appearances in a KakaoTalk group chat. She is also accused of defaming Park by falsely claiming that her sister-in-law and brother embezzled his money. Previously, the prosecution demanded a 10-month prison sentence.
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