Real Estate Expert Seon Dae-in Found Guilty Again in 2nd Trial for 'Insulting MiTongDang Candidate'

Seoul Central District Court, Seocho-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Sun Dae-in, director of the Sun Dae-in Economic Research Institute, who was prosecuted for insulting the then United Future Party (now People Power Party) candidates running in the Yongin area during the 21st National Assembly election, was sentenced to a fine again in the appellate court.

According to the court on the 4th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeals Division 2 (Presiding Judge Park Nosu) sentenced Director Sun to a fine of 2 million won, the same as in the first trial, on charges of insult.

The court explained the reason for dismissing Director Sun's appeal, stating, "It can be recognized that the defendant had the intent to insult, and the act cannot be considered a justifiable act that does not violate social norms," and "It is also difficult to see that the original sentence exceeded the reasonable range of discretion and was too heavy."

Earlier, Director Sun was accused of insulting the United Future Party candidates running in the Yongin area by appearing on a YouTube broadcast ahead of the April 2020 general election. Upon the host's request to "talk about the candidates running in the Yongin area," he was investigated to have used expressions such as "cockroach," "crazy person," "unruly far-right politician," and "ridiculous guy" in his response.

The first trial found Director Sun guilty and sentenced him to a fine of 2 million won. At that time, the court stated, "The expressions used by the defendant are contemptuous, and considering general usage, the degree of insult cannot be considered light," and "Even when looking at the context before and after the remarks, it is closer to criticism of the individual rather than public criticism of the candidates."

Furthermore, the court added, "The defendant claims to have made 'political commentary' ahead of the election, but contemptuous expressions lacking respect for personality negatively affect healthy public opinion formation," and "The defendant had the intent to insult, and this cannot be considered a justifiable act that does not violate social norms."

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