Webtoon writer Joo Ho-min, after warning of legal action against the spread of false information surrounding the child abuse case involving his son, has continued to speak out daily, officially requesting an open hearing by the Supreme Court en banc.
On the 29th, Joo posted on his online cafe, saying, "As posts about the trial's progress spread, false information is being disseminated again, so I correct it," and published a post.
He took a hardline stance, saying, "I will take immediate action against those who spread false information on Femco, Gaedrip, Theqoo and others." He also said that some of the internet users he recently sued had asked to settle. Joo wrote, "I hope you develop the capacity to learn so you don't make your life hard mode."
The false claims Joo pointed out were broadly twofold. First was the claim that "the remark about a rat was not in the recording," and second was the claim that there was no defense that "it is not abuse because the intelligence is low and they could not understand."
He went on to rebut, saying, "The remark about a rat was analyzed by multiple institutions, but some said they heard it and some said they did not, so it was ultimately not adopted," and "Also, the remark that 'it is not abuse because the intelligence is low' was actually said by one of the teachers' defense lawyers."
Earlier, on the 27th, he requested an open hearing by the Supreme Court en banc via his social media, saying, "I hope standards can be created so that the law can stand on the side of the weak." The incident occurred in 2022 in a special class at an elementary school in Yongin, Gyeonggi. At the time, special education teacher A was indicted on charges of saying things to the son with developmental disabilities such as "your manners are terrible" and "I hate you to death."
The first trial accepted the recording as evidence and delivered a suspended sentence with a fine of 2 million won, but the second trial denied its evidentiary value, saying it was secretly recorded by a third party who was not a participant in the conversation, and acquitted. The case is currently being heard by the Supreme Court.
Joo repeatedly emphasized the need to recognize such recordings as evidence, saying, "In environments like special classes and nursing homes where it is difficult to express one's will, recording can be the last and only means of protection." In fact, controversy continues in the legal community over the issue. Scholars and political circles have raised the need for institutional improvements, including revision of the Protection of Communications Secrets Act.<
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]