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🇰🇷 South Korea /Crime & Justice

Prosecutors Indict Lawyer, YouTuber for Defaming Cho Kuk's Son

From Hankyoreh · (4m ago) Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Prosecutors have indicted lawyer Kang Yong-seok and Kim Se-ui, CEO of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, on charges of defamation.
  • They are accused of spreading false information about the son of Cho Kuk, former Justice Minister and leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party.
  • The indictment comes six years after Cho Kuk filed a complaint against them.

The Hankyoreh reports on the indictment of lawyer Kang Yong-seok and Kim Se-ui, CEO of the Garo Sero Institute, for defaming the son of Cho Kuk, a prominent figure in the Cho Kuk Innovation Party. This legal battle, initiated six years ago by Cho Kuk himself, highlights the intense political scrutiny and personal attacks faced by public figures in South Korea.

The prosecution has indicted lawyer Kang Yong-seok and Kim Se-ui, CEO of the Garo Sero Institute, on charges of spreading false information about the son of Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party.

— HankyorehReporting on the indictment of Kang Yong-seok and Kim Se-ui.

The charges stem from a YouTube video posted in 2019, where Kang and Kim allegedly spread false claims about Cho Kuk's son, accusing him of sexual harassment and alleging that his mother, Chung Kyung-sim, manipulated a school violence incident to cover it up. Cho Kuk vehemently denied these allegations, providing a school violence victim confirmation letter at the time.

The case also touches upon the broader issue of online defamation and the spread of misinformation, particularly through social media platforms like YouTube. The indictment serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for those who disseminate false information that harms individuals' reputations. The passing of another accused, YouTuber Kim Yong-ho, adds a somber note to the proceedings, with his case being closed due to his death.

In a video posted on the Garo Sero Institute YouTube channel on August 22, 2019, they claimed that Cho Kuk's son sexually harassed a female student, and that his mother, Chung Kyung-sim, changed the incident to one where her son was bullied.

— HankyorehDetailing the specific allegations made in the YouTube video.

From a South Korean perspective, this case is not just about defamation but also reflects the highly polarized political landscape. The involvement of a former Justice Minister and a political party leader makes it a high-profile case, drawing significant public attention and debate about the boundaries of free speech and the responsibility of media creators. The Hankyoreh, known for its progressive stance, provides a detailed account, emphasizing the legal process and the alleged falsehoods spread.

Cho Kuk posted on his Facebook page in September 2020, stating, 'My son, who has the painful experience of being bullied at school, was instead labeled as a 'sexual harasser,' and clear false facts were spread.'

— HankyorehQuoting Cho Kuk's statement regarding the defamation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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