‘Kang Daniel Defamation’ Taldeoksoosong Receives 10 Million Won Fine in First Trial

by Kwak Minjae

Pubilshed 11 Sep.2024 15:45(KST)

YouTuber ‘Taldeoksuyongso,’ who was prosecuted for defamation by posting false videos about singer Kang Daniel, was sentenced to a fine in the first trial.

YouTuber 'Taldeoksuyongso' (left), who was indicted for defaming singer Kang Daniel's honor, is seen leaving the courtroom with his lawyer after attending the final trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 12th of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 11th, Judge Lee Jung-gu of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 18 sentenced Park (35), who was indicted for violating the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation), to a fine of 10 million won. This is a heavier sentence than the 3 million won fine requested by the prosecution at the sentencing hearing on the 12th of last month.

The judge pointed out, “Park posted provocative and sensational content about a famous celebrity on YouTube, which has high transmissibility, to seek economic gain,” and added, “It is necessary to strictly punish this because it can cause irreparable damage to the celebrity and their agency.”

He also said, “The word ‘Taldeok,’ meaning to stop enthusiastically liking a certain field or person, is included in the YouTube channel name, which alone indicates that the channel posts negative content to induce existing fans to leave,” rejecting Park’s claim that the videos were made for public interest.

Regarding Park’s claim that he believed the video content was true, the judge stated, “Considering that the defendant has not revealed the specific circumstances or sources through which he learned the video content, it is reasonable to conclude that he was aware the content was false.”

Park was prosecuted for posting a false video titled ‘The Promiscuous Private Life of the Nation’s Boyfriend Actor Idol’ on his YouTube channel last year with the intent to defame Kang Daniel. The prosecution filed a summary indictment against Park in November last year, but the court referred the case to a formal trial.

Meanwhile, Park also lost the first trial in a damages lawsuit filed by Jang Wonyoung, a member of the group ‘IVE.’ Jang filed the lawsuit in October last year, claiming that Park posted defamatory falsehoods on Taldeoksuyongso. In addition, BTS members V and Jungkook filed damages lawsuits against Park in March, alleging defamation.