Kim Se-ui, the detained representative of the YouTube channel Hover Lab, has filed a request for a closed trial just one day before the first hearing in the case involving mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang (real name Park Jung-won).
The Seoul Central District Court, Criminal Division 20, is scheduled to hold the first hearing for Kim Se-ui at 4:30 PM on the 25th. Kim is charged with defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, violation of the Stalking Punishment Act, and intimidation.
According to court records, Kim Se-ui's legal counsel submitted a written opinion along with a request to close the trial to the court on the 24th. The specific reasons for the closed trial request have not been disclosed.
Kim Se-ui had previously requested to reschedule the hearing twice, but both requests were denied. Since then, he has changed his legal counsel and has now requested a closed trial just one day before the proceedings.
Under Article 109 of the Constitution, criminal trials are required to be open to the public. Exceptions for closed trials are only permitted if there is a significant risk to national security or public order, a concern for public morals, or if there are specific legal grounds, such as the protection of victims of sexual violence.
Attention is now focused on whether the court will accept the request made by Kim Se-ui's side.
According to the prosecution, Kim Se-ui is accused of repeatedly disclosing private information about Tzuyang and spreading false information through his YouTube broadcasts. The prosecution alleges that Kim created and distributed sensational content for the purpose of generating profit, such as collecting donations, and caused irreparable harm to Tzuyang by coercing her into airing explanatory broadcasts.
Meanwhile, Kim Se-ui has also been detained and indicted on charges of spreading false information regarding actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)
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