'Kim Gun-hee Recording Release' 100 Million Won Compensation Lawsuit, Verdict in February Next Year

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, after completing their visits to the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, are seen waving to farewell attendees as they board Air Force One at Ottawa International Airport, Canada, on September 23 (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The first trial ruling on the damages claim lawsuit filed by First Lady Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, against internet media personnel who disclosed their phone conversations will be announced in February next year.

On the morning of the 16th, Judge Kim Ik-hwan of Civil Division 201 at the Seoul Central District Court concluded the pleading procedure for the damages claim lawsuit worth 100 million won filed by First Lady Kim against Baek Eun-jong, CEO, and reporter Lee Myung-soo and other personnel of the media outlet 'Seoul-ui Sori' (Voice of Seoul), and scheduled the verdict for 1:55 PM on February 10 next year.

Earlier, reporter Lee from 'Seoul-ui Sori' announced that he had recorded a phone conversation with First Lady Kim in January, ahead of the presidential election, and planned to disclose the content in collaboration with MBC. In response, First Lady Kim filed a provisional injunction against MBC and 'Seoul-ui Sori' to prevent the release of the recording file.

At that time, the provisional injunction court issued a decision allowing disclosure except for some content related to private matters. Subsequently, MBC and 'Seoul-ui Sori' each disclosed the phone conversation between First Lady Kim and reporter Lee through broadcasts and YouTube channels.

In response, on the 17th of the same month, First Lady Kim filed a damages lawsuit claiming 100 million won against 'Seoul-ui Sori'. In the complaint, she introduced herself as "the spouse of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's 20th presidential candidate," and claimed that "the defendants' illegal recording acts and broadcasts ignoring the court's provisional injunction decision seriously infringed on her personal rights, honor, privacy rights, and voice rights."

In court, First Lady Kim's side stated that they are claiming compensation for emotional damages caused by 'illegal recording' by 'Seoul-ui Sori' and the 'forced broadcast' violating the provisional injunction decision. They added, "More than seven hours of phone conversations were recorded without the plaintiff's consent," and "personal rights and privacy rights were violated." 'Seoul-ui Sori' argued that "it was a lawful journalistic activity and did not violate the provisional injunction decision," denying any illegality.

Initially, Judge Kim Ik-hwan decided to refer the case to mediation, considering it desirable for the parties to resolve the dispute through mutual agreement, but mediation failed as both sides could not reach an agreement.

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