'Sim Eun-jin SNS Malicious Comments' Woman in Her 30s Receives 4-Month Reduced Prison Sentence on Appeal

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jung] A woman in her 30s who was sentenced to prison in the first trial for posting multiple malicious comments causing sexual humiliation to Sim Eun-jin, a former member of the girl group Baby V.O.X, on social networking services (SNS), received a reduced sentence in the appellate trial.

On the 13th, at the appellate sentencing hearing held by the Criminal Appeals Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Court (Chief Judge Naeju Lee), the court overturned the first trial's sentence of 5 months imprisonment for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes and sentenced Ms. A to 4 months imprisonment.

Previously, Ms. A was prosecuted for posting sexually humiliating content targeting Sim Eun-jin and others on Instagram eight times in 2018. In the first trial last November, Ms. A was sentenced to 5 months imprisonment and was detained in court.

The court stated, "The defendant posted provocative posts targeting multiple victims unrelated to her," adding, "Especially the posts about victim Sim were sexually provocative, and the victims suffered severe mental distress as these contents became widely known, pleading for strict punishment." The court further explained the sentencing by saying, "However, considering that some of the criminal charges were dismissed."

At the appellate trial's closing arguments held on the 13th of last month, the prosecution explained, "The defendant has a prior record of committing similar offenses and being punished," and "there is a very high possibility of recidivism."

Ms. A's defense attorney argued, "Ms. A's mother has also promised to manage and supervise her daughter to prevent her from using mobile phones or computers," requesting leniency based on this. Ms. A herself said, "I apologize for causing social controversy," and added, "I have an anxiety disorder, and the detention center has been very considerate, so if you show mercy, I am confident I can live a more upright life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.