'SooTubber' Operator Appeals Sentence for Defamatory Videos Targeting Celebrities
The operator of the YouTube channel 'SooTubber' (탈덕수용소), identified as A, who allegedly earned millions by spreading malicious fake videos targeting celebrities like Jang Won-young of IVE, has appealed the appellate court's decision.
According to legal sources on the 15th, A's lawyer submitted an appeal to the Incheon District Court yesterday, contesting the ruling that found them guilty of defamation and insult under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc.
In the appellate trial, A received a sentence identical to the first instance: two years in prison suspended for three years, along with a forfeiture of 210 million KRW and 120 hours of community service.
The court stated in its ruling, "It appears that various circumstances were sufficiently considered in the first trial," and "Considering the sentencing criteria, the sentence from the original trial does not seem unduly heavy or light, thus the appeals from both the defendant and the prosecution are dismissed."
Reports indicate that A's grounds for appeal argue that the sentence is too severe and the forfeiture order is unfair.
Previously, A was indicted for defaming seven celebrities and influencers by uploading 23 defamatory videos on their YouTube channel 'SooTubber' between October 2021 and June 2023.
Separately, in a civil lawsuit filed by Jang Won-young for damages, A was ordered to pay her 50 million KRW. A also received a 10 million KRW fine and a 30 million KRW damages judgment in a defamation case brought by Kang Daniel. Furthermore, A was ordered to pay 76 million KRW in damages to V and Jungkook of BTS. However, A has also appealed these judgments.
Netizens expressed strong criticism, commenting, 'They need to pay for their crimes properly,' 'I can't even imagine the pain the victims went through,' and 'Will appealing make any difference?' These reactions highlight public frustration with the operator's continued actions.