"Sillim Station Murder Threat Poster Ordered to Pay 43 Million Won to Government"... First Civil Liability Ruling

First Civil Ruling Against Murder Threat Poster

A court has ruled that a man who posted a false murder threat targeting women at Sillim Station in Seoul in 2023 must compensate the government. This is the first verdict in a civil lawsuit filed by the government against an individual who posted a murder threat.

Court image. Photo by Asia Economy Database

On September 19, Judge Cho Jungmin of the Seoul Central District Court, Civil Division 93, ruled in favor of the plaintiff in a damages claim filed by the government against Choi (31), ordering him to pay 43 million won in compensation to the government.

The court fully accepted the government's claim for compensation, which covered all human and material resources expended in response to the potential mass murder incident. The Ministry of Justice, representing the government in state litigation, was the plaintiff in the case.

Choi was indicted on charges of obstructing police work by fraudulent means after posting a false message on an online community on July 26, 2023-five days after the Sillim Station stabbing incident-stating, "I am standing in front of Exit 2 of Sillim Station with a knife. I will start killing people now." The post led to about 20 police officers being dispatched to the scene after receiving a report.

In September of the same year, the Ministry of Justice filed a lawsuit, stating, "From the initial 112 emergency call to the arrest, a total of 703 police personnel, including the Cyber Investigation Team and the Riot Police, were mobilized, resulting in a waste of approximately 43 million won in taxpayer money." The purpose was to not only impose criminal penalties but also civil liability to deter similar acts in the future.

In the criminal trial, Choi was found guilty and received a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

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