Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun fined W20m for defaming former Channel A reporter

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun has been sentenced to a fine for defaming Lee Dong-jae, a former Channel A reporter.

Judge Kang Gyeong-muk of the Seoul Northern District Court's Criminal Division 14 on Tuesday sentenced Kim to a fine of 20 million won ($13,300) on charges of defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.

"The number of offenses was not small, and the victim suffered considerable mental anguish," Judge Kang said. "The victim has petitioned for a severe punishment of the defendant."

Prosecutors had earlier sought a one-year prison sentence at the closing arguments hearing.

Kim is accused of claiming on YouTube and radio broadcasts between April and October 2020 that Lee had threatened Lee Cheol, the then-imprisoned former chief of SillaJen, to say he had given money to Yoo Si-min.

Police opened an investigation in February 2022 following a complaint filed by Lee Dong-jae, but in October of that year decided not to refer the case to prosecutors, saying it was difficult to conclude that Kim had deliberately made false statements.

Prosecutors requested a reinvestigation in January 2023, and police forwarded the case to prosecutors in September of that year. Prosecutors indicted Kim in April the following year.