Kang Mi-jung, former spokesperson for the Rebuilding Korea Party who has been on trial for defamation against her husband amid divorce proceedings, has been fined in the first trial.

Judge Lee Jong-woo of Criminal Settlement Division 22 at the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kang to a fine of 2 million won on the 23rd.

Kang was summarily indicted on charges of defaming her husband, surnamed Cho, by making remarks implying that Cho used illegal drugs on about 10 occasions while appearing on radio programs and other media starting in November 2023.

After receiving a summary order for a 2 million won fine, Kang requested a formal trial in January to contest it.

However, the court stated, "Although the defendant claims that her remarks on broadcasts were related to a public matter and constituted a justifiable act, it is difficult to view them as a justifiable act or legitimate self-defense," handing down the same sentence as the summary order.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the ruling, Kang appealed yesterday (the 27th).

Previously, Kang raised various allegations of misconduct involving Cho's brother-in-law, Daejeon High Prosecutors' Office Prosecutor Lee Jeong-seop, including allegations that he covered up Cho's drug investigation, as well as illegal address registration for their children and receiving favors at a resort.

In March of last year, prosecutors indicted Prosecutor Lee without detention on charges including violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and the first-instance trial is currently underway.

(Photo: Yonhap News)