The sister-in-law of broadcaster Park Soo-hong, identified by the surname Lee, who is on trial for spreading false information regarding Park's private life, offered a late apology and pleaded for leniency during her appeal trial.
On June 25, during the final hearing for the appeal trial held at the Seoul Western District Court (presided over by Judge Ban Jeong-woo) regarding charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, the prosecution requested that the court "dismiss the defendant's appeal and sentence her to 10 months in prison, as originally requested in the first trial."
Lee was indicted on charges of defaming Park by sending messages containing false information, such as claims that Park lived with a woman during his broadcasting career, in a group chat on KakaoTalk.
In her final statement, Lee expressed her apologies to Park Soo-hong and his wife, Kim Da-ye. "Although it was a strictly private conversation with acquaintances, I apologize for the hurt I caused Park Soo-hong and Kim Da-ye. At the time, I thought my actions were right, but looking back now, I realize how rash and foolish I was. I am deeply reflecting on my actions and will ensure that something like this never happens again. I want to be a mother my children can be proud of," she said, pleading for leniency.
It was reported that Lee's side argued she had reasonable grounds to believe the victim was living with a woman after seeing a woman's belongings at the victim's home multiple times. Her defense claimed that the statements were not fabricated with the knowledge that they were false, and that they were merely a defensive response to Park Soo-hong making family financial disputes public through the media, rather than being intended for defamation.
Previously, the first trial court sentenced her to a fine of 12 million won, stating, "She committed the crime with the intent to create public opinion favorable to the legal dispute between herself and her husband, and to defame the victim." The sentencing for Lee's appeal will be held at the Seoul Western District Court at 2:30 p.m. on July 23.
Meanwhile, Park Soo-hong's older brother, identified by the surname Park, was recently sentenced to three years and six months in prison by the Supreme Court for embezzling funds from an entertainment agency and Park Soo-hong's appearance fees.
(Reported by Kang Kyung-yoon, SBS Entertainment News)
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