First Lady Kim Geon-hee to Donate Full Amount of Seoul Voice Defamation Compensation

Turkey Relief and Animal Protection Organizations Mentioned as Donation Recipients

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] It has been reported that Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, plans to donate the entire amount of damages awarded from a lawsuit against the internet media outlet Seoul's Voice.

According to the presidential office on the 12th, Mrs. Kim has decided to donate the damages to Baek Eun-jong, CEO of Seoul's Voice, and reporter Lee Myung-soo if she ultimately wins the lawsuit.

Earlier, Seoul's Voice, together with MBC, released a recorded phone conversation with Mrs. Kim in January last year, about two months before the presidential election. Mrs. Kim's side filed for an injunction to prevent the release of the recording before the broadcast, but the court allowed the release except for some parts.

Seoul's Voice did not comply with the court's injunction to prohibit the broadcast and also disclosed parts that were not permitted for release through YouTube.

Mrs. Kim's side claimed infringement of personality rights, honor rights, and privacy rights, demanding damages of 100 million KRW, and the Seoul Central District Court ruled on the 10th that CEO Baek and reporter Lee must pay 10 million KRW in damages.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Possible recipients of Mrs. Kim's donation include relief funds for the T?rkiye earthquake victims and animal protection organizations.

However, since Seoul's Voice has announced its intention to appeal the first trial ruling up to the third trial, it is expected that even if Mrs. Kim ultimately wins, it will take considerable time before the damages are actually received.

If the ruling is confirmed as is in the first trial, Seoul's Voice will have to pay 10 million KRW plus an annual 12% delay interest.

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