Defendants Admit All Charges, Express Deep Remorse
Prosecutors have requested a one-year prison sentence each for two women who were put on trial for blackmailing YouTuber Jjuyang (real name Park Jungwon) and extorting approximately 200 million won. Both defendants have admitted to the charges and pleaded for leniency.
According to legal sources on July 18, prosecutors made this request during the sentencing hearing for Ms. A, in her 30s, and Ms. B, in her 20s, held that morning before Judge Koo Changkyu of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 12. The two were charged with joint blackmail under the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts.
They are accused of blackmailing Jjuyang’s side from June 2021 to November 2022, and extorting 216 million won through the producer of Jjuyang’s YouTube channel. In July last year, Jjuyang stated on her YouTube channel, “Three years ago, my former agency CEO (my ex-boyfriend) mentioned these two women and said, ‘They are blackmailing you.’ He suggested I pay them off with my own money, so the producer had no choice but to meet them and over the course of about two years, paid them 216 million won.”
The prosecution said, “Although the amount extorted is significant and the crime is not minor, both defendants have fully confessed and shown remorse, and they have reached an amicable settlement with the victim. Taking these factors into account, we ask the court to sentence each to one year in prison.”
The defense stated, “This was an impulsive act, and it appears there was no initial intent to harm the victim. The defendants are deeply remorseful and ask for leniency.”
In her final statement, Ms. A said, “I admit all the charges and want to express my apologies to the victim,” seeking forgiveness. Ms. B said, “I am deeply remorseful and will never do anything like this again.”
The sentencing is scheduled for August 20.
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