'Malicious Comments Against Kim Ji-eun' Lead to Fine for Ahn Hee-jung's Close Associate

Former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] A close aide of former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung, who was prosecuted for writing defamatory comments about Kim Ji-eun, the former governor's executive secretary, was sentenced to a fine of 2 million won in the first trial.

Judge Jin Jae-kyung of the Criminal Division 3 at the Seoul Western District Court sentenced Ahn's former executive secretary, Mr. Uh (37), who was charged with violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation), on the 7th.

Mr. Uh is accused of leaving a comment saying "Moreover, she is divorced" on an article related to Ms. Kim in March 2018, thereby disclosing Kim's divorce and including initials of abusive language in the comment.

The court recognized all the charges of defamation and insult as guilty on that day. The court stated, "It is not possible to judge solely by the expression itself; we must consider the meaning accepted by social norms within the context before and after. Considering the context in which the comment was written at the time, it can be seen as implying not just a value-neutral meaning but that the victim had weak sexual morals and could have sexual relations with anyone."

Furthermore, the court explained the sentencing reason, saying, "At the time of the defendant's crime, the victim was already suffering severe mental distress due to various unfounded rumors, which aggravated the victim's pain. This is a typical example of secondary harm to sexual violence victims."

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