Court Suspends Sentence in Second Trial for Former K-Sports Foundation Manager Park Heon-young, Who Claimed MB's Son Lee Si-hyung Used Drugs

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Park Heon-young, former deputy director of the K-Sports Foundation, who was indicted on defamation charges for raising suspicions of drug use by Lee Si-hyung, son of former President Lee Myung-bak, was given a reduced sentence of probation in the second trial.

The Criminal Appeals Division 4-3 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Cha Eun-kyung, Kim Yang-seop, Ban Jeong-mo) overturned the original sentence of 8 months imprisonment and sentenced Park to 8 months imprisonment with 2 years probation on the 30th. He was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.

The court stated, "The defendant posted articles damaging the victim's reputation in an internet space participated by many, which is a serious offense," and "It is clear that the victim suffered considerable mental distress."

However, the court ruled, "Considering that the defendant has shown remorse, was unaware that the posts on social networking services (SNS) would be reported in the media and cause widespread impact, and that full compensation was paid through a civil lawsuit, the original sentence seems excessive."

Park is accused of leaving two posts on his Twitter in July 2017, quoting claims by Ko Young-tae, after KBS's 'Chujeok 60 Bun' (Tracking 60 Minutes) reported on a drug use case involving Kim Moo-sung, a member of the Liberty Korea Party, and raised suspicions of drug use by Lee Si-hyung as well. The posts implied that Lee had used drugs in the past.

The first trial sentenced Park to 8 months imprisonment but did not detain him in court.

Meanwhile, Lee Si-hyung voluntarily requested hair, urine tests, and DNA analysis from the prosecution in 2017, and no drug substances were detected in the results.

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