Mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang to Testify at National Assembly Audit as Cyber-Bullying Victim

Popular mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang (real name Park Jeong-won) is set to appear as a witness at a National Assembly audit to share her experiences as a victim of cyber-reckoning, also known as malicious online defamation.

According to the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee (SIBC) on the 22nd, a request for Tzuyang and her legal representative, lawyer Kim Tae-yeon, to attend as witnesses will be discussed at a plenary session on the 24th. If approved, Tzuyang will participate in the SIBC's state audit scheduled for October 14th.

Tzuyang's side stated that despite personal reservations, she decided to participate to help prevent similar damages from recurring and contribute to society. Last year, Tzuyang was a victim of extortion, losing 55 million won after being threatened by YouTubers Gujeyeok and Jujakgambyeolsa, who claimed to have information about her private life and tax evasion, demanding money to suppress the information.

This incident led to convictions for the perpetrators, with Gujeyeok receiving a three-year prison sentence in his appeal, and Jujakgambyeolsa receiving a one-year sentence suspended for three years. The National Power Party's lawmaker Kim Jang-gyeom emphasized that Tzuyang's testimony will highlight the severity of cyber-reckoning issues and scrutinize platforms' actions regarding victim protection and potential complicity for views and revenue, aiming to establish comprehensive countermeasures.

Tzuyang gained significant fame for her mukbang videos showcasing her impressive eating capacity, often featuring Korean cuisine. Her YouTube channel, 'tzuyang쯔양', boasts over 8.5 million subscribers. She has previously taken a hiatus from her online activities due to rumors and malicious comments before making a comeback.