An ex-partner of actor Baek Yoon-shik, who was indicted for falsely accusing him, received a reduced sentence of a fine in the appellate court.
On the 14th, the 8-2 Criminal Appellate Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Director General Choi Hae-il, Choi Jin-sook, Kim Jeong-gon) sentenced Mr. A to a fine of 7 million won.
Previously, the first trial imposed a sentence of one year in prison with a two-year suspension. Additionally, 120 hours of community service were ordered.
On that day, the court stated, "The defendant has shown recognition of the crime and remorse since the original trial," adding, "The defendant has been burdened by being criticized for immaturity by fellow reporters through meetings and breakups with Mr. Baek, and appears to be in a state of devastation due to alcohol addiction and depression."
Mr. A is accused of falsely accusing Mr. Baek after drafting an agreement not to disclose private matters in relation to a civil lawsuit that arose following the publication of a book containing personal anecdotes with Mr. Baek, claiming that Mr. Baek forged this document and submitted it as evidence in a related civil trial.
However, the prosecution concluded that Mr. A had drafted this agreement himself. It is said that as Mr. A found himself in a situation where he had to pay damages for violating the agreement with Mr. Baek, he falsely accused Mr. Baek.
Meanwhile, Mr. A, a former journalist, published an essay detailing the relationship and breakup with Mr. Baek in 2022. Mr. Baek filed a lawsuit against the publisher's representative to ban publication and sale, arguing that Mr. A had violated the agreement. Last July, the Supreme Court upheld a partial victory for the plaintiff.