Kim Eo-jun Fined 20 Million Won in First Trial for Defamation of Former Reporter Lee Dongjae

Court: "Serious Nature of Offense... Impacted Public Opinion"

Kim Eo-jun (58), a broadcaster who was put on trial for repeatedly spreading false information and defaming former Channel A reporter Lee Dongjae, has been sentenced to a fine in the first trial.

On July 14, Judge Kang Kyung-mook of the 14th Criminal Division at the Seoul Northern District Court sentenced Kim, who was indicted without detention on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, to a fine of 20 million won.

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. Yonhap News Agency

The judge stated, "The number of offenses is not small, and the victim appears to have suffered considerable mental anguish due to this case. The gravity of the crime is not minor, especially considering its impact on the process of shaping public opinion."

From April to October 2020, Kim was brought to trial on charges of defaming former reporter Lee by making statements on TBS's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and the YouTube channel 'DAS BOIDA' on six occasions, suggesting that Lee had allegedly told associates of former Value Invest Korea (VIK) CEO Lee Cheol to 'falsely tip off that money was given to former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Chairman Yoo Si-min.'

During the trial, Kim's side denied the charges, claiming that he was not aware that the statements were false. However, on this day, Judge Kang noted, "The defendant at least perceived the falsehood, even if only implicitly, and made the statements with the intention of damaging the victim’s reputation."

At the sentencing hearing held in May, prosecutors had requested a one-year prison sentence for Kim.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.