The Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 18, under Judge Lee Jun-gu, was scheduled to proceed with the sentencing hearing for Park, the operator of Sojang on July 16th. Park is facing charges of violating the Information and Communications Network Act due to defamation. However, the hearing was unexpectedly postponed as Park failed to appear in court.
Park’s lawyer explained the absence, stating, “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, noting, “Submitting a reason for absence on the day of the trial puts the court in a difficult position.” The judge 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 hearing has been rescheduled for August 12th, when the court plans to conduct the defendant’s examination before proceeding with sentencing.
Park is accused of defaming popular K-pop star Kang Daniel by posting a false video titled “Promiscuous Private Life of the Nation’s Boyfriend – Actor – Idol” on their YouTube channel in 2022. The video garnered significant attention and led to widespread controversy.
From October 2021 to June 2022, Park operated the YouTube channel Sojang, where they posted 23 defamatory videos targeting various celebrities and influencers, including Jang Wonyoung. These actions have led to Park’s recent indictment and ongoing legal troubles.
The case has sparked intense reactions from fans and the public, with many condemning the spread of false information and defamation of celebrities. As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes will be on the upcoming hearing to see how the court addresses the accusations and Park’s absence.
The future of the Sojang channel and its operator remains uncertain as the legal battle unfolds. Fans of the targeted celebrities are hoping for a resolution that upholds justice and addresses the harm caused by the defamatory content.
