"10 Casual Meetings with Me"... 20s Male University Junior Defamed, Suspended Sentence Upheld in 2nd Trial

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A man in his 20s who spread false information on social networking services (SNS) that a certain junior alumnus had a 'transactional relationship' with him was sentenced to a suspended prison term again in the appellate court.

According to the legal community on the 14th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeals Division 4-1 (Presiding Judge Kim Yangseop) recently sentenced health trainer Mr. A (27, male), who was indicted for violating the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation), to 6 months in prison with a 2-year suspension, probation, and 120 hours of community service, the same as the first trial.

The court stated the reason for dismissing the prosecutor's appeal, saying, "There is no change in the sentencing conditions compared to the original trial," and "The circumstances the prosecutor claims as reasons for improper sentencing, such as the degree of defamation and the lack of settlement, seem to have already been reflected in the sentencing reasons of the original trial."

It added, "Considering various circumstances, including the fact that the defendant confessed the crime to the victim in a non-prosecution offense where punishment cannot be imposed against the victim's will, the sentencing in the original trial does not appear to be excessively light or unreasonable beyond the reasonable scope of discretion."

Earlier, Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of spreading false information on SNS from September 2019 to January last year, claiming that junior alumnus Ms. B (25, female) had a so-called 'transactional relationship' by receiving money and having sexual relations with him.

It was investigated that he sent SNS messages to four university alumni including Mr. C, such as "I met Ms. B about 10 times in total by exchanging money" or "Even though I politely refused, (Ms. B) kept talking about being partners or something like that." However, Mr. A had no such transactional relationship or any contact or conversation regarding it with Ms. B.

At the recent appellate trial's closing arguments, the prosecution emphasized, "The victim's damage caused by the defendant's statements is very severe," and "Above all, the victim is pleading for severe punishment. The damage is of an irreparable nature." They requested the court to impose a heavier sentence than the first trial.

In court, Mr. A bowed his head, saying, "I deeply regret fabricating stories that caused the victim much pain." He continued, "I wanted to keep apologizing to the victim, but she has not accepted it. I fully understand my wrongdoing," appealing for leniency.

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