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🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

YouTuber Jeon Han-gil denies defamation charges, claims reliance on foreign media

From Hankyoreh · (7h ago) Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • YouTuber Jeon Han-gil, accused of defaming President Lee Jae-myung and Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok, denied the charges, claiming he only cited foreign media reports.
  • Jeon admitted to earning approximately 300 million won annually from his YouTube channel, including 30 million won in six days from the videos in question, but argued he did not create fake news for profit.
  • Police, who believe Jeon earned 32.6 million won from six videos containing false information about President Lee and Lee Jun-seok, are investigating his profit motive, while Jeon claims the charges are political retaliation.

The Hankyoreh reports on the court appearance of YouTuber Jeon Han-gil, who faces charges of defamation against President Lee Jae-myung and Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok. Jeon, appearing for a pre-arrest warrant hearing, maintained his innocence, asserting that his reporting was merely a re-dissemination of foreign media content. This defense, however, clashes with the police's findings that Jeon profited significantly from these specific videos, suggesting a motive beyond simple reporting.

I only cited foreign media reports.

— Jeon Han-gilJeon Han-gil's statement to reporters outside the Seoul Central District Court when asked about the charges of defaming President Lee Jae-myung and Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok.

Jeon's defense hinges on the argument that he is a publisher and journalist, and his work constitutes 'suspicion reporting,' not criminal activity. He further drew a parallel to the case of Cho Kuk, suggesting a disparity in legal treatment and claiming the arrest warrant is a form of political reprisal. This perspective highlights a common sentiment in some South Korean media circles that legal actions against certain figures can be politically motivated, especially when they involve prominent political figures or their allies.

The annual income from 'Jeon Han-gil News' is about 300 million won. If I earn for 6 days, it's about 30 million won.

— Jeon Han-gilJeon Han-gil's response regarding his YouTube earnings when questioned by reporters.

The article also touches upon Jeon's admitted annual earnings of around 300 million won from his YouTube channel, a figure that underscores the financial incentives in online content creation. While he acknowledges the substantial income, he disputes the notion that profit was the sole driver for the allegedly defamatory content. This distinction is crucial in his defense, attempting to separate legitimate (albeit potentially flawed) reporting from malicious intent.

It's fake news to say that I reported it to make a profit.

— Jeon Han-gilJeon Han-gil's rebuttal to the police's assertion that he created the videos for financial gain.

From a South Korean perspective, this case is not just about defamation but also touches upon the broader issues of online media regulation, the influence of YouTubers in political discourse, and the perceived fairness of the justice system. The media's role in reporting such cases, as exemplified by The Hankyoreh, is to present the facts while also reflecting the arguments and sentiments of the individuals involved, including their claims of political persecution.

I am the publisher and reporter of 'Jeon Han-gil News.' Of course, it was reporting on suspicions, and it has nothing to do with a crime.

— Jeon Han-gilJeon Han-gil's defense of his reporting as investigative journalism rather than criminal 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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