According to a report on the 26th, Judge Kim Min-jung of the Seoul Western District Court's Criminal Division 9 acquitted A of defamation charges under the Information and Communications Network Act on September 29. The court found it difficult to conclude that A's online community post was false. Furthermore, the court did not find Jang Woo-hyuk's claim of being assaulted by A credible.
Previously, A had alleged through an online community that they were assaulted twice by Jang Woo-hyuk. According to A, the first incident occurred in early 2014 during an overseas business trip in a taxi with Jang, where he allegedly struck A on the back of the head with a gloved fist. The second incident reportedly took place in 2020 at a broadcasting station, where Jang allegedly hit A's hand while they were adjusting his microphone, accompanied by an expletive.
A stated, "I have endured verbal abuse and character defamation from Jang Woo-hyuk, thinking it was something I had to tolerate." A also mentioned that some people suggested Jang didn't hit them more because they were female.
As the allegations spread, Jang Woo-hyuk denied them and filed a defamation lawsuit against A. During police questioning, Jang claimed that A's actions during the second incident caused him to suffer from stage fright and PTSD.
However, prosecutors charged A in May 2023, considering the 2014 incident as 'fact' and the 2020 incident as 'false'.
The first trial court found Jang Woo-hyuk's testimony unreliable, noting the lack of records of pain or injury from the alleged assault. Jang's statements about the location of the assault were also inconsistent, as he initially mentioned a waiting room but later changed it to a hallway during the trial.
During the trial, Jang Woo-hyuk's verbal abuse towards A was also revealed, including statements like "Why do you make me feel like crap during script reading?" Several agency employees testified to witnessing or experiencing Jang's abusive behavior.
Prosecutors have appealed the first trial's decision.
Meanwhile, Jang Woo-hyuk appeared on the SBS variety show 'Shoes Off, Single for Men' on the 25th, where he discussed his relationship with 16-years-younger actress Oh Chae-yi and his thoughts on marriage.
Jang mentioned, "We're in a dating phase," referring to Oh Chae-yi, whom he met on a blind date on the show 'Groom Class'. He added, "Initially, I thought it would be nice just to date, but now my feelings have grown to consider marriage."
However, he clarified, "I'm not saying I will definitely marry Oh Chae-yi," and explained, "My thoughts on marriage have changed a lot. We've met privately without cameras and are continuing to develop our relationship after the program."