Court Sentences Cyberbully of Actress Shin Se-kyung to Prison

A South Korean court has sentenced a woman to eight months in prison for repeatedly harassing actress Shin Se-kyung (신세경), who is 35 years old. On July 5, the Seoul Eastern District Court's Chief Judge Lee Ho-dong ruled against Kim (김모), also 35, who was charged with threats and insults. Kim had posted over 450 abusive comments on online forums related to Shin from June to August of last year, including threats of acid attacks and derogatory remarks about Shin's physical and sexual attributes. Additionally, she spread false information that insulted Shin's family, friends, and fans. Kim admitted to all charges. The court noted that Kim's actions caused significant emotional distress to the victim, who is a well-known celebrity, and emphasized the need for severe punishment. However, the court also considered that Kim did not appear to have any intention to carry out her threats. The prosecution had previously sought a two-year prison sentence for Kim. Shin's agency, The Present Company, stated that they had issued multiple warnings and legal actions after recognizing the severity of the situation, but the harassment continued and escalated, leading to criminal charges. They expressed that this ruling serves as a significant legal precedent highlighting the seriousness of cyberbullying in society.