"'Hwakjjinja' Expression to Subordinate is Defamation... Supreme Court Confirms 1 Million Won Fine"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The Supreme Court has ruled that calling a subordinate a 'hwakjjinja' constitutes the crime of insult.

The Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Cho Jae-yeon) on the 30th upheld the lower court's ruling that sentenced A, a public official in Cheongju City, to a fine of 1 million won on charges of insult. A was prosecuted for saying to a subordinate in the Cheongju City Hall Secretariat in March last year, "Here's a hwakjjinja, right here."

'Hwakjjinja' is a term referring to a person who has rapidly gained weight due to lack of outdoor activities during COVID-19.

During the trial conducted as a citizen participation trial, all seven jurors unanimously voted for acquittal. However, the court stated, "The victim's testimony was consistent and included specific circumstances and honest feelings at the time. There seems to be no reason for the victim, who is not on friendly terms with the defendant, to falsely accuse him," and sentenced A to a fine of 1 million won.

The appellate court dismissed A's appeal, and the Supreme Court also rejected the appeal on the same day.

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