Former Korea Communications Commission Chairman Dong Kwan Lee has lost his appeal in a lawsuit seeking 500 million won in damages against YTN, which reported allegations that his spouse made a solicitation.
On May 30, the 13th Civil Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Moon Kwangseop, Kang Hyowon, and Kim Jinha) ruled against Lee in his damages claim against YTN and its reporters, upholding the verdict of the first trial. The court dismissed Lee's appeal and ordered him to bear all litigation costs.
The court did not provide the reasons for its decision in the courtroom on this day.
In August 2023, while Lee's confirmation hearing was underway, YTN reported allegations that Lee's wife had received money along with a personnel solicitation in 2010 and returned it only two months later.
In response, Lee stated, "I requested that YTN verify and report the fact that the court ruling against the person identified as the party to the solicitation included that my spouse returned the money immediately after receiving it, but YTN reported only one side's claims in a malicious manner." He filed a police complaint against YTN officials and a lawsuit seeking 500 million won in damages.
In June of last year, the first trial court stated, "When defamation is committed through the press or publication by specifying facts, if the plaintiff claims that the facts cited as grounds for the claim are false and seeks damages, the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff," and added, "Based on the evidence submitted, it is insufficient to recognize that there is no basis for raising the allegations in this case." In February of this year, the police also decided not to refer the case in which Lee accused YTN of defamation.
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