Supreme Court Orders Hong Jun-pyo to Pay 6 Million Won in Damages to Ryu Yeo-hae for 'Jumak Owner's Remarks'

Former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] A ruling partially favoring Ryu Yeo-hae, a former Supreme Council member of the Liberty Korea Party, the predecessor of the United Future Party, in a compensation claim lawsuit against former leader Hong Joon-pyo has been finalized.

According to the court on the 30th, the Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Judge Lee Dong-won) confirmed the lower court's ruling recognizing a compensation liability of 6 million KRW in the appeal trial of the damages claim lawsuit filed by former Supreme Council member Ryu against former leader Hong, demanding a total payment of 31 million KRW.

Former Supreme Council member Ryu claimed that former leader Hong committed six illegal acts, including sexual harassment and obstructing her attendance at the Supreme Council meetings, causing her mental distress, and thus filed for compensation.

First, former Supreme Council member Ryu claimed 3 million KRW in compensation, arguing that former leader Hong's post on social networking service (SNS) in December 2017 stating, "I don't have time to listen to complaints like those of a tavern mistress," constituted an insult against her.

Also, at the party's year-end gathering in December of the same year, former Supreme Council member Ryu claimed 5 million KRW in compensation for former leader Hong's remark, "You should say that to someone who deserves sexual harassment," in response to her allegation that he repeatedly made sexually harassing remarks.

In the first trial, some of former leader Hong's remarks were recognized as insulting expressions, and a compensation liability of 3 million KRW was acknowledged. However, the claim by former Supreme Council member Ryu that former leader Hong sexually harassed her by holding and rubbing her hand was not recognized for compensation liability.

The second trial recognized that former leader Hong's obstruction of former Supreme Council member Ryu's attendance at the Supreme Council meeting constituted obstruction of business and additionally acknowledged a compensation liability of 3 million KRW.

The Supreme Court also ruled that the lower court's judgment was appropriate.

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