The court found A guilty of defamation and threats, stating that the crimes were repetitive, premeditated, and posed a significant threat to society. This ruling marks a rare instance of a prison sentence being handed down in a case of cyberbullying against a public figure, potentially setting a precedent for protecting victims of online crimes.
A was found to have used anonymous accounts to repeatedly post defamatory and threatening messages targeting Shin Se-kyung, her family, acquaintances, and fans. This verdict is expected to be a pivotal moment in addressing cyber harassment not only against celebrities but also for online crime victims.
Shin Se-kyung's agency, The Present Company, stated, "Despite multiple warnings and legal actions after recognizing the artist's victimization, the harassment continued and escalated, leading to criminal charges." They added, "This ruling serves as a legal precedent highlighting the severity of cyber violence, and we will employ all legal measures against similar future incidents, with no leniency."
Shin Se-kyung's legal representative, Attorney Kim Ji-ae from Ascendant Yulbon Law Firm, expressed concern over the repeated mental anguish and escalating nature of the harassment. She emphasized, "This verdict sends a significant societal message that violent expressions online will no longer be tolerated."
Reporter Seyoon Jung, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr