Freelance Journalist Kim Woong Sentenced to 6 Months Imprisonment for 'Son Seok-hee Extortion Attempt'... Court Detains (Update)

by Jeong Donghoon

Published 08 Jul.2020 11:07(KST)

Freelance reporter Kim Woong, who was indicted on charges of demanding employment and money from JTBC CEO Sohn Seok-hee by threatening to report on past vehicle contact accidents, is attending the sentencing hearing held on the morning of the 8th at the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Freelance journalist Kim Woong (50), who was indicted for demanding employment and money by threatening to report on a past car accident involving Son Seok-hee, CEO of JTBC, was sentenced to six months in prison and detained in court in the first trial.

Judge Park Yong-geun of the Criminal Division 4 at the Seoul Western District Court sentenced Kim, who was charged with attempted extortion, to six months in prison.

Judge Park stated, "Although the defendant heard from the victim in September 2018 that the hiring process was strict and employment was difficult, he demanded an explanation regarding the parking lot incident while implying media coverage, which sufficiently proves the charge of extortion."

Kim is accused of demanding employment and 240 million won in money from August 2018 to January last year by saying, "I will report on the past contact accident caused by President Son," and "I will sue for assault charges," but the attempt was unsuccessful.

On May 27, the prosecution requested a sentence of one year and six months in prison for Kim, stating, "The defendant denies the charges and shifts the responsibility to the victim." The prosecution added, "Although the crime was attempted, considering the long duration of the act, please take this into account."

This matter became public when Kim claimed he was assaulted by President Son. In January last year, Kim filed a complaint against Son, alleging that Son assaulted him in front of a Japanese restaurant in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, causing injuries requiring three weeks of medical treatment. On the other hand, Son counter-sued Kim, stating, "Rather, Kim illegally requested employment, and when rejected, he threatened me."