The operator of the YouTube channel Sojang, which produced fake-news videos targeting IVE’s Jang Wonyoung and other celebrities, has received a final ruling upholding a suspended prison sentence. In response, Jang Wonyoung’s agency, Starship Entertainment, vowed to continue taking strong legal action to protect its artists.
On the 30th, Starship Entertainment stated, “We have pursued civil and criminal action against the operator of the YouTube channel Sojang for spreading false information, malicious slander, and defamation targeting our artists. On the 29th, the Supreme Court finalized the lower court’s ruling in this case.”
The Supreme Court’s Second Division (Presiding Justice Kwon Young-jun) affirmed the lower court’s sentence of two years in prison, suspended for three years, for YouTuber Park on charges including defamation and insult under the Information and Communications Network Act. The court also upheld a forfeiture of 210 million KRW and an order for 120 hours of community service.
From October 2021 to June 2023, Park was indicted for posting 23 videos on the YouTube channel Sojang that defamed seven public figures, including Jang Wonyoung.
The channel has since been deleted, and within the music industry, calls are growing for strict legal penalties against such cybercrimes.
Starship Entertainment emphasized, “Entertainers deserve full protection of their honor and personality rights. We will prioritize safeguarding our artists’ rights and continue to take strong legal action,” adding, “We will strictly pursue legal measures against those who spread fake news or create content that fuels cyberbullying based on such falsehoods.” The agency also pledged to “continue monitoring and taking legal action in parallel to prevent similar harm from recurring.”