Kim Hojung Sues 180 Online Commenters for 764 Million Won... Court Recognizes Only 2

Court orders 2 defendants to pay 1 million won each
"Considering the content, level of expression, repetitiveness, and other factors"

Singer Kim Hojung (35), who is serving a prison sentence after being convicted for a hit-and-run drunk driving accident, filed a large damages lawsuit against 180 internet users who posted negative comments about him, but the court recognized liability for only 2 of them.

Singer Kim Hojoong

On the 4th, the 45th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Nam Cheongyu) ruled in a damages claim lawsuit totaling 764 million won filed by Kim, recognizing only 2 defendants' liability and ordering each of them to pay 1 million won to Kim. The claims against the remaining 178 people were dismissed.

The court said it reached this decision after considering the content of the posts, the level of expression, and the repetitiveness. This ruling came about 4 years and 8 months after Kim filed the lawsuit.

Back in June 2021, Kim filed the lawsuit, claiming he suffered psychological harm because these people posted negative comments about him online. The internet users are known to have posted critical comments related to Kim's military service controversy, which surfaced in 2020 through media reports.

Some of these 180 people repeatedly posted comments dozens of times, while others who wrote only a single comment are also known to have been included as targets of the complaint. Kim's side acknowledged that their actions were not habitual and were mostly one-off, but argued that this did not mean they had no negative impact at all. However, the court did not recognize liability for most of them.

In May 2024, Kim was arrested and indicted on charges including causing injury by dangerous driving under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, after driving a car under the influence of alcohol on Apgujeong-ro in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, crossing the center line, colliding with an oncoming taxi, fleeing the scene, and having his manager turn himself in instead. In April last year, he was sentenced on appeal to 2 years and 6 months in prison, then withdrew his Supreme Court appeal and is currently serving his sentence. In December last year, he was placed under review for a "Christmas special pardon" parole but was deemed ineligible.