Sayart.net - South Korean Court Upholds Verdict, Fines Man for Libelous Remarks Against Actress Bae Suzy

Bae Suzy's instagram

In a landmark ruling on Thursday, the third division of the South Korean Supreme Court upheld its original decision, imposing a 500,000 won ($393) fine on a man surnamed Lee for posting defamatory comments about renowned singer and actor Bae Suzy. The long-standing legal battle, spanning eight years, came to a close as the court concluded that Lee's remarks had crossed the line into libelous territory.

The contentious saga began in late 2015 when Lee took to the comment sections of various online articles discussing Bae Suzy, falsely labeling her a "national hotel girl" and making other derogatory statements. In response, Bae Suzy pursued legal action against Lee, resulting in a summary judgment that initially ordered him to pay a fine.

However, Lee maintained his innocence and opted for a formal trial, leading to a series of courtroom proceedings. In the first trial, he was found guilty of defamation and was slapped with a 1 million won fine. Nevertheless, a higher court later overturned this ruling, arguing that Lee's comments, while inappropriate, did not warrant punishment under prevailing social norms.

Displeased with the higher court's decision, the prosecution escalated the case to the Supreme Court, where the delicate balance between freedom of expression and safeguarding reputations as public figures came into focus. The court acknowledged that Lee's comments fell under the umbrella of free speech, but it found fault with the phrase "national hotel girl," deeming it a degrading and contemptuous expression that could severely tarnish Bae Suzy's image as a respected celebrity.

Lee, undeterred, appealed the Supreme Court's ruling once more. However, in a final verdict on Thursday, the Supreme Court firmly dismissed his appeal, reaffirming its previous decision to impose a 500,000 won fine on him for the libelous remarks against Bae Suzy.

This landmark case serves as a precedent for how South Korean courts will address the delicate intersection between freedom of expression and protecting the reputations of public figures in the digital age. As social media continues to influence public discourse, the consequences of online comments are being closely scrutinized by legal systems worldwide.

Sayart.net 

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com