by Ryu Hyunseok
Published 02 Dec.2025 16:16(KST)
Updated 02 Dec.2025 17:08(KST)
The defamation complaint filed by Hanmi Semiconductor, a semiconductor equipment company, against author Park Soonhyuk-widely known as the "Battery Guy"-has resulted in a summary indictment by prosecutors.
According to legal sources on December 2, prosecutors issued a summary indictment against Park Soonhyuk last month on charges of defamation and insult under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection. This outcome comes approximately two years and two months after Hanmi Semiconductor submitted its complaint in September 2023.
Previously, in July 2023, Park appeared on the YouTube channel "Sangsang Square" and shared his views on Hanmi Semiconductor. He publicly disclosed Hanmi Semiconductor's financial data and stated, "Both revenue and operating profit have continued to decline, dropping by half, yet the stock price has risen. This (Hanmi Semiconductor) is truly a bubble stock."
He further argued, "A sell report should be issued for Hanmi Semiconductor stock, but since many institutional investors and private equity funds hold it, such a report is not being released."
In response, Hanmi Semiconductor asserted that these were malicious falsehoods that seriously damaged the company's reputation and credibility. On September 18, 2023, the company filed a complaint against Park for defamation and insult under the Information and Communications Network Act.
The police, who initially investigated the defamation allegations, concluded the case in January last year by determining that Park was "not guilty." However, after a reinvestigation, prosecutors concluded that "the charge of defamation is recognized."
Prosecutors issued a summary indictment last month. A summary indictment is a procedure in which the court is requested to impose a fine or penalty through a written review, without a formal trial. If the court accepts the prosecution's request and issues a summary order, Park may request a formal trial within a specified period. If he does not request a formal trial, the summary order becomes final. Once the fine is paid, the case is closed.
A legal expert commented, "Even though the initial police investigation resulted in a not-guilty decision, the fact that a reinvestigation led to a prosecution demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting the reputation and credibility of the company."
A Hanmi Semiconductor representative stated, "Legal responsibility has been recognized for actions that slandered the company with groundless and malicious statements," adding, "We will continue to respond firmly to any unjust defamation in the future."
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