Broadcaster Kim Ou-joon Fined 20 Million Won in Defamation Case Involving Former Reporter Lee Dong-jae

Broadcaster Kim Ou-joon has been sentenced to a fine in the first trial for defaming former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae.
Judge Kang Gyeong-muk of the Seoul Northern District Court, presiding over the 14th Criminal Division, sentenced Kim to a fine of 20 million won today (July 14) on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.
"The number of offenses is not small, and the victim has suffered significant mental distress," Judge Kang stated. "The victim has requested a stern punishment for the defendant."
Previously, the prosecution had requested a one-year prison sentence during the final hearing.
Kim is accused of claiming on six occasions between April and October 2020, through his YouTube channel and radio broadcasts, that former reporter Lee had coerced Lee Chul, the former CEO of Value Invest Korea (VIK) who was incarcerated at the time, to falsely testify that he had given money to former Rhyu Si-min, the former chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.
Following a complaint filed by the former reporter in February 2022, the police began an investigation and initially decided not to refer the case to the prosecution in October of that year, stating that it was "difficult to conclude that Kim had made the false statements intentionally."
However, the prosecution requested a reinvestigation in January 2023, and the police reversed their previous decision and forwarded the case to the prosecution in September 2023.
The prosecution indicted Kim in April 2024.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.