Shin Sae-kyeong’s Cyberbully Sentenced to Prison in Landmark Ruling Against Online Harassment
Jul 04, 2025
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It has been confirmed that A has repeatedly posted insulting expressions and threatening messages, including not only Shin Sae-kyeong but also his family, acquaintances, and fans using anonymous accounts. The court recently sentenced A, who was indicted on charges of insults and intimidation, to prison, judging that the crime was repetitive and planned, and the level of intimidation was high, causing great harm to society.
Malicious insults and threats made repeatedly over a long period of time cause mental suffering equivalent to physical violence, and the court judged this as a clear crime. The sentence of imprisonment can be said to be a judicial declaration that clearly reveals the seriousness of such an act. The ruling is an unusual case of prison sentences in cyberbullying cases against public figures, and is expected to be a significant turning point in the protection of online crime victims as well as celebrities.
The agency The Present Company "We have taken several official warnings and legal measures in consideration of the seriousness of the issue immediately after recognizing the artist's damage, but the offense did not stop, but rather the level continued to increase, leading to a criminal complaint in this case." he said. He then emphasized that "this ruling will be a significant legal precedent that goes beyond just a matter of individual actors and warns our society as a whole of the seriousness of cyber violence."
In addition, the agency said, "The seriousness of the crime is only the difference in the level of punishment, and the moment you inflict mental pain on others with malicious intent, your responsibility as a perpetrator already arises."Hiding behind anonymity and threatening or defaming someone's life is a clear crime that is not protected by freedom of expression." "This ruling is a judicial message that clearly sets out the legal boundaries and standards of responsibility between simple online expressions of opinion and crimes, and will serve as an opportunity to lead to a shift in social awareness."
In particular, "The perpetrator must take corresponding legal responsibility no matter how long it takes, and will respond firmly by all legal means in the event of similar acts in the future, and there will be no leniency at all."
Kim Ji-ae, a lawyer at Ascendant Yulbon, a law firm that has been acting as the actor's legal representative since the beginning of this case, said "It was a case of great concern about the repetition of mental suffering and the spread of the abuse."Without the agency's swift response and the investigation agency's swift investigation until the perpetrator was identified and criminal proceedings were launched, all efforts to organize and agonize over vast amounts of evidence could have gone to nothing" he said.
"Even if it is a word and action in cyberspace, any act that violates the personality of others must be legally responsible," he said, stressing that "this ruling is a meaningful judgment that contains a social message that violent expressions that were indiscriminately committed online are no longer ignored."
antahn22@sportschosun.com
