On July 16th, Judge Lee Jun-gu of the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 18 was set to proceed with the sentencing hearing for Sojang’s operator Park, who was indicted for violating the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation). However, the hearing was postponed as Park did not appear in court.
Park’s lawyer explained the absence, “Park underwent surgery to remove a tumor from their finger last May, and they did not attend due to extreme pain.”
The court expressed frustration “Submitting a reason for absence on the day of the trial puts the court in a difficult position” and warned, “If Park does not appear on the next date, a warrant for their arrest will be issued. Please convey this to the defendant.”
The court rescheduled the hearing to August 12th, indicating that they would conduct the defendant’s examination then proceed with sentencing on that date.
Park is accused of defaming Kang Daniel by posting a false video titled “Promiscuous Private Life of the Nation’s Boyfriend – Actor – Idol” on their YouTube channel in 2022.
From October 2021 to June last year, Park operated the YouTube channel Sojang, where they posted 23 defamatory videos targeting celebrities and influencers, including Jang Wonyoung, leading to their recent indictment.
