Cyberbullying Case: YouTuber Gu Je-yuk Faces Additional Defamation Charges

Gu Je-yuk (구제역), a YouTuber currently on trial for extorting millions from popular mukbang YouTuber Jjuyang (쯔양), whose real name is Park Jung-won (박정원), has been indicted on additional charges of defamation. The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office announced on the 26th that Gu Je-yuk was charged with violating the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation) and insult charges on the 25th.

The prosecution explained that this indictment stems from investigations into multiple complaints filed by victims related to Gu Je-yuk's YouTube broadcasts. According to the prosecutors, from August to September 2022, Gu Je-yuk allegedly disseminated false information about seven victims, including internet broadcast BJ, lawyers, and former military YouTubers, damaging their reputations and insulting them.

In August, the prosecution had already charged Gu Je-yuk and four other cyberbullying YouTubers with extortion and threats against Jjuyang. Gu Je-yuk is accused of extorting 55 million KRW from Jjuyang by threatening to expose allegations of tax evasion and personal life issues. Reports indicate that in February of last year, he warned Jjuyang that he had received tips about her tax evasion and personal matters, stating that he would refrain from publicizing these issues if she paid him. Furthermore, in October 2021, he allegedly threatened to release a video claiming that Jjuyang was harassing small business owners by filing excessive lawsuits.

Additionally, in May of last year, Gu Je-yuk reportedly coerced Jjuyang into promoting a friend's restaurant, threatening to publicize allegations of tax evasion if she refused. Gu Je-yuk's side has denied all allegations, claiming that the prosecution's charges are entirely false.

Beyond these charges, Gu Je-yuk has faced multiple indictments for defaming others and spreading false information through his YouTube channel, with four ongoing trials already in progress at the Suwon District Court. With this latest indictment, he now faces a total of six trials.