Prosecutors "Liked" Opposition Criticism Comments... Jin Hyewon Says "I Pressed 'Funny'"

by Yoo Byeongdon

Published 05 Nov.2021 14:38(KST)

'First Trial on SNS Criticism of Opposition Candidate' Prosecution and Jin Hyewon Side Clash Over Truth

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Jin Hye-won (46, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 34), deputy chief prosecutor at the Ansan branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, who was indicted for criticizing opposition candidates and others through social networking services (SNS) ahead of the April by-election this year, denied the charges at the first trial.

Jin's defense attorney stated at the first hearing of the case involving violations of the National Public Officials Act and the Public Official Election Act held on the 5th at the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Moon Byung-chan), "We deny the charges."

On the day, the prosecution explained the charges, saying, "The defendant liked comments favorable to the vertical garden city pledge and posted critical replies to negative comments to promote the election of candidate Park Young-sun."

They also claimed, "The defendant liked comments criticizing the LCT preferential sale allegations to promote the defeat of candidate Park Hyung-joon," and "liked comments criticizing the self-compensation allegations related to land in Naegok-dong to promote the defeat of candidate Oh Se-hoon."

In response, Prosecutor Jin denied ever clicking 'Like' and said she mostly clicked 'Haha' reactions.

Jin argued, "Since Facebook's policy changed in 2017, the 'Like' button disappeared and was replaced by seven reactions: 'Love it,' 'Love,' 'Cheer up,' 'Sad,' 'Wow,' 'Haha,' and 'Angry.' The charges are completely wrong."

When the prosecution rebutted by presenting a cellphone screen showing that the 'Like' function still exists on Facebook, Jin said, "When I log in, 'Like' does not appear. That account has few Facebook users, so the range of reactions is limited."

The court then told the prosecution, "Since the defendant claims it does not exist, please verify it once."

After the trial, Prosecutor Jin told reporters, "Comment reactions and original posts should be distinguished. I suspect they included comment reactions in the charges because they had no evidence on the original posts," and criticized, "They edited it in a way that reveals their wishes. The intentions of those who indicted are visible."