'Defamation and False Accusation Charges' Jeong Bong-ju... Acquitted by Supreme Court

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] Former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju, who was accused of defaming an online media outlet that reported allegations of his sexual harassment, was acquitted by the Supreme Court.

On the 29th, the Supreme Court's First Division (Presiding Justice Lee Ki-taek) upheld the lower court's ruling of not guilty in the appeal trial of former lawmaker Jeong, who was charged with false accusation and defamation.

In March 2018, the online media outlet Pressian reported allegations that former lawmaker Jeong sexually harassed Ms. A at a hotel in Seoul. In response, Jeong held a press conference, calling the Pressian article "fake news, a blatant lie, a national scam," and sued six people including the reporter. The media outlet also countersued Jeong for defamation.

However, the court found Jeong not guilty. The first trial ruled, "Ms. A's testimony alone is insufficient to recognize the sexual harassment incident, and the testimonies of acquaintances are hearsay and have no independent evidentiary value." The second trial also upheld the first trial's judgment, stating, "There is insufficient evidence to recognize that former lawmaker Jeong was aware of the falsity against his memory when holding the press conference or filing the lawsuit."

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