Internet BJ to 7 Years for Extorting $8 Million from Singer Kim Junsu

An internet broadcaster has been sentenced to prison for extorting approximately $8 million from singer and musical actor Kim Junsu. The Seoul High Court upheld the original sentence, delivering a seven-year prison term to the broadcaster.

On November 2, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 10-1, led by Chief Judges Lee Sang-ho, Lee Jae-shin, and Jung Hyun-kyung, confirmed the seven-year sentence for a woman in her 30s, identified as A, who was charged with violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (extortion).

A was accused of threatening Kim Junsu 101 times from September 2020 to October of the previous year, extorting approximately 8.4 billion won. She reportedly recorded conversations with Kim without his knowledge and threatened to release them on social media to extort money.

In February, the first trial court stated, "The defendant exploited the victim's weaknesses, threatening him over a long period and extorting a significant amount of money. Considering the method, duration, and amount of the crime, the nature of the crime is very poor. The victim suffered economic and mental harm and is pleading for severe punishment," and sentenced A to seven years in prison. Both A and the prosecution appealed the decision, with A arguing the sentence was unfair and the prosecution citing a misunderstanding of the law. A submitted two letters of reflection to the court, seeking leniency.

However, the appellate court ruled, "Both the mobile phone and smartphone devices were used in the crime, containing voice files of private conversations that were used to threaten the victim. If these seized items are returned to the defendant, there is a risk of further harm," and ordered the confiscation of A's devices. A has appealed the second trial's decision.

Reporter Taeyuna, TenAsia youyou@tenasia.co.kr