The YouTuber operating the channel "Narak Storage," who disclosed the identities of the perpetrators of the Miryang collective sexual assault case, has appealed for leniency during the first trial of his appeal.

The 1st Criminal Appellate Division of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Soon-yeol) held the appeal trial hearing for a man surnamed Kim, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (Defamation).

When the presiding judge rebuked him during the hearing, asking, "What on earth was your motive? Was it a sense of justice or economic profit?" Kim lowered his head and answered, "It was my foolishness."

He stated, "I have realized the weight of the actions I committed, and I acknowledge and reflect on the fact that my wrongdoing of inflicting scars on the victim can never be changed in any way," adding, "I will continue to make efforts toward victim recovery, never repeat the same mistake again, and live faithfully while abiding by the law."

Kim's legal representative said, "The defendant feels a sense of guilt for leaving irreversible scars through his wrongful actions and is spending time in penitence," adding, "He has reached settlements with some of the victims and is making ongoing efforts for victim recovery to the end, including proceeding with additional criminal deposits for the remaining victims."

The attorney further stated, "The likelihood of the defendant reoffending is low," and pleaded, "Please grant him the opportunity to live in society once again."

The prosecution asked the court to dismiss the appeal.

Previously, the first-instance court sentenced Kim to one year and six months in prison and ordered the completion of a 40-hour stalking treatment program.

Kim was sent to trial on charges of arbitrarily disclosing the identities of the perpetrators of the Miryang collective sexual assault case through his operated YouTube channel, "Narak Storage."

The sentencing for Kim is scheduled for 2:00 PM on September 17.

(Photo: Yonhap News)