'Sexual Assault Allegations' Whistleblowers Lose Again in 2nd Trial Against Ki Sung-yong's Lawyer for Damages

Lawyer Calls Whistleblowers 'Suspects of a Nationwide Fraud Drama'
"Provocative, But Representing the Client's Position"

Former national soccer player Ki Sung-yueng. Ki Sung-yueng Instagram

The former national soccer player Ki Sung-yueng (36) lost the appeal trial, following the first trial, in a damages lawsuit filed by juniors who accused him of sexual assault during elementary school against Ki Sung-yueng's legal representative.

On the 10th, the 7-2 Civil Appeal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Hae Deok-jin, Judges Kim Dong-hyun and Kim Yeon-hwa) ruled against plaintiffs A and B in the appeal trial of the damages claim lawsuit filed against Song Sang-yeop, who was Ki Sung-yueng's legal representative.

They filed a 200 million won damages lawsuit in May 2021, claiming that Song Sang-yeop, Ki Sung-yueng's legal representative, spread false information by describing them as 'perpetrators of a nationwide fraud drama' and other terms in a statement.

In the statement, Lawyer Song said, "The suspect who claims to protect the public did not cooperate with requests to appear during the investigation period for almost two months after the investigation into Ki Sung-yueng, citing various reasons," and added, "The suspect of the nationwide fraud drama claims in media interviews that he made a big decision to expose sexual violence 'for the public good.' However, the suspect still hides his face and alters his voice."

Regarding this, the court judged that the lawyer's statement defamed A and B but considered it part of the legal representative's duties.

The court stated, "Ki Sung-yueng's position is that he never committed sexual violence and that the plaintiffs are lying," and judged, "Although the expression 'perpetrators of a nationwide fraud drama' is provocative, it represents the client's position."

It further explained, "It is common for a legal representative defending a client accused of sexual violence to refute the victim's claims of sexual assault as lies."

Meanwhile, A and B claimed in February 2021 that they were sexually assaulted by seniors including Ki Sung-yueng while playing on the soccer team at an elementary school in Jeonnam from January to June 2000.

In response, Ki Sung-yueng issued a statement saying, "Such a thing never happened. I swear on my soccer career," and filed a criminal complaint against them for defamation by false facts. He also filed a damages claim lawsuit worth 500 million won.

The police decided not to prosecute them in August last year due to insufficient evidence. At that time, the police stated that there was insufficient evidence regarding whether Ki Sung-yueng committed sexual violence.