The YouTuber known as Gujeyeok (real name Lee June-hee), who was sentenced to three years in prison in the first trial on charges of extorting tens of millions of won from YouTuber Tzuyang, has issued a rebuttal ahead of the appeals trial and recently posted a public apology while incarcerated, effectively announcing his "retirement from broadcasting." It is an unusual retirement declaration from a cyber wrecker.
Earlier in February, Judge Park I-rang of Suwon District Court Criminal Division 14 sentenced Gujeyeok to three years in prison. Most of the charges, including extortion of 55 million won from Tzuyang, coercion to film mukbang content, and extortion and threats of 22 million won against BJ Suit, were found guilty. However, some counts of threat were acquitted.
In response, Gujeyeok said, "There is no evidence that Lee June-hee demanded money or warned of harm to Tzuyang's side," and "On the contrary, there are many circumstances indicating that Tzuyang's side proposed a private contract on their own for risk management." He also claimed, "Personal life-related information was first conveyed within Tzuyang's company," adding, "There was no exposure or threats." He went on to emphasize, "This ruling shows that the controversy over Tzuyang's private life was true to the extent that Tzuyang's side feared it enough to pay hush money."
However, at the appeals prosecution's closing hearing held in July, the prosecution sought a four-year prison term for Gujeyeok. The prosecution said, "The defendant completely denies the charges and continues to commit secondary harm, such as suing the victim for false accusation," and "there is little sign of sincere remorse." In his final statement, Gujeyeok said, "Even if found guilty, please give me an opportunity to repay the damage caused to the victim."
Then on the 17th, while incarcerated, Gujeyeok posted a lengthy apology on his channel declaring that all content would be set to private and that he was retiring from broadcasting.
Gujeyeok said, "Regardless of the merits of the guilt, I apologize to everyone harmed by the defamation and extortion cases," and "Many people suffered because of my activities. To prevent further harm, I will set all channel videos to private." He added, "Although I want to explain my innocence, because that process could create other victims, I will only make all explanations through the trial."
In another apology, he said, "The YouTube channel that began under the pretext of helping wronged people ultimately hurt many people," and "Victims who want individual apologies, please contact my lawyer. I will apologize sincerely." He then declared his official retirement, saying, "I will not engage in broadcasting activity regardless of the trial outcome." As it is an unusual retirement declaration from a cyber wrecker, it is drawing particular attention.
Internet users reacted, "This is the end for the cyber wrecker. It finally ends in retirement," "After ruining so many lives, now an apology... I hope the victims' mental suffering ends," "Tzuyang suffered a lot. I hope there is no more secondary harm and she can have peace," "He finally paid the price for profiting from other people's lives," "The wrecker culture must disappear. I hope this sets a precedent," and other comments.
Gujeyeok is currently awaiting a Supreme Court decision after being sentenced to three years in prison in the appeals court in the "Tzuyang extortion case."
[Photo] Broadcast screen, OSEN DB
[OSEN]