‘Cheonanham Grounding Theory Advocate’ Shin Sang-chul, Final Judgment After 12 Years

1st Trial: 8 Months Imprisonment & 2 Years Probation → 2nd Trial "Cannot Block Public Debate" Not Guilty

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The final verdict on former CEO of the internet media outlet Surprise, Shin Sang-chul (64, former civilian member of the Joint Civil-Military Investigation Group), who was acquitted in the second trial after being indicted for defamation by raising the 'Cheonan ship grounding theory,' will be announced after 12 years.

The Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Noh Jung-hee) will hold a hearing at 11:15 a.m. on the 9th for the appeal trial of Shin, who was indicted for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.

Shin was indicted without detention in August 2010 on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act for posting false articles related to the sinking of the Cheonan ship 19 times through internet media from April 15 to May 18, 2010, damaging the honor of members of the joint investigation group and others.

At the time, Shin posted several articles stating, "It is clear that the Cheonan ship sank after grounding and colliding with U.S. warships and others, but the government and military are fabricating the cause to make it appear as if it sank due to a North Korean torpedo attack."

The first trial recognized some guilt and sentenced him to eight months in prison with a two-year probation, but the second trial acquitted Shin of all charges.

The second trial court stated, "Although the defendant's claim that the cause of the Cheonan ship sinking was 'grounding followed by collision' included some unverified facts and used somewhat aggressive and extreme expressions to criticize the government and military authorities, such criticism should preferably be handled within the realm of academic debate and free competition of ideas," adding, "Interpreting the elements of defamation by focusing on the apparent expressions and easily subjecting them to criminal punishment risks suppressing public debate itself."

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