YouTuber Lee Geun (41), a former Navy captain, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in a second trial for insulting YouTuber 'Gujeyeok' (real name Lee Jun-hee) and spreading false information online.
On the 24th, the 4th Criminal Appeal Division of the Seoul Central District Court overturned the first trial's ruling, which had imposed a fine of 5 million won on Lee Geun for insult and defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, and sentenced him to 6 months in prison, suspended for 2 years. The court also ordered 120 hours of community service.
The court noted, "The defendant posted that the victim (Gujeyeok) is 'a mental illness patient who was stalked by a minor female influencer and is under investigation for filing complaints,' and this significantly damages the victim's honor."
The court mentioned that Lee assaulted Gujeyeok while coming out of a trial at the Seoul Central District Court in March 2023, stating, "This crime occurred in December 2022, and the circumstances of committing another crime against the victim on the premises of this court about 4 months later are also unfavorable."
In March 2023, while leaving court after a trial, Lee Geun was charged with hitting Gujeyeok in the face with his fist during an altercation inside the courthouse and was sentenced to a fine of 5 million won in the second trial.
The court imposed special compliance requirements regarding the community service order, stating, "Do not engage in certain activities by posting detrimental writings, photos, or videos about a third party or leaving comments using social media (SNS) and information and communications networks."
Lee Geun told the court, "I feel very unfairly treated, and it is difficult to be here. I have lived honorably as a soldier."
Lee Geun was charged with posting false information on his YouTube channel's community board in December 2022, claiming that Gujeyeok stalked a minor female influencer. He also faced allegations of leaving insulting comments three times, labeling Gujeyeok as 'overweight loser' and 'cyber wreckage.'
Lee Geun also faces charges for posting on his social media in August 2021 against YouTuber Go (late) Kim Yong-ho, who was a former entertainment reporter, with content stating 'parasite,' 'may you rot forever,' and 'failed as a reporter and ruined his business.'
Lee Geun was additionally charged for entering wartime Ukraine without permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March 2022 (violation of the Passport Act) and for leaving the scene without taking action after causing an accident while driving in Seoul in July of the same year (fleeing after causing injury under the Specific Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act), and was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for 3 years.