"Jo Jinwoong's Juvenile Record May Have Been Leaked by a Member of the 'Iljin Group'"

"You Cannot Access Case Records Unless It Is Your Own Case"

There is an analysis suggesting that the person who provided information to the media outlet that first reported on actor Jo Jinwoong's juvenile criminal record may have been one of the members of the "Iljin group" who received protective measures alongside Jo Jinwoong. Since access to juvenile court records is legally restricted, it is highly likely that the information was leaked by an insider.

Actor Jo Jinwoong delivering a speech at the 80th Anniversary Liberation Day Celebration held last August. MBC

Song Jeongbin, an attorney at Geonwoo Law Firm, stated on News1TV's "Fact & View" on December 9, "If it is not your own case, it is impossible to access the case records," adding, "It is possible that one of the perpetrators who received protective measures under the Juvenile Act together with Jo Jinwoong provided the tip."

On December 5, the online media outlet Dispatch reported that Jo Jinwoong, while in his second year of high school in 1994, was involved in charges of robbery, rape, and car theft, and subsequently received a juvenile protection disposition. However, controversy has arisen over how Dispatch obtained this information. Article 70 of the Juvenile Act stipulates that all information regarding juvenile court records and verdicts is classified as official secrets.

Regarding the possibility that a court official provided related information such as verdict documents, Attorney Song commented, "It is hard to believe that someone would comply simply because they were asked to provide information, but it cannot be ruled out," and added, "It also raises the question of whether the media outlet that first reported the story really needed to go to such lengths to obtain the information."

He continued, "If there was a leak of such documents, the institution responsible for the leak should naturally be punished," and pointed out, "If a reporter requested this, it could be considered incitement to violate Article 70 of the Juvenile Act, and there is a possibility of punishment."

Regarding whether this report aligns with the public's 'right to know,' he said, "The right to know is a means to help realize the sovereignty of the people and their fundamental rights, but when it comes to knowing about an actor's criminal history from 30 years ago, it is difficult to consider it as falling under the right to know," and added, "However, even if the court decides it does not fall under the right to know, it would be difficult to use this as grounds to demand damages or criminal punishment from the media outlet."