Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil), a key figure in the state capture case, won in part in a retrial on remand in a damages suit filed against former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Ahn Min-seok.
The Civil Appeals Division 3-2 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Heo Il-seung) on the 21st ruled in the damages suit filed by Choi, who said she was harmed by Ahn's spreading false information, ordering, "Pay the plaintiff (Choi) 20 million won."
The court said, "The defendant (former lawmaker Ahn) contributed to escalating the level of criticism against the plaintiff by citing rumors or third-party statements without clearly presenting the basis and speaking as if he had investigated directly," adding, "Even now, after the investigation into the plaintiff has concluded, the connection between the remarks and the plaintiff has not been established."
Choi filed a lawsuit seeking 100 million won in damages, saying former lawmaker Ahn spread false information during the 2016–2017 state capture scandal about issues including her allegedly hidden assets, causing her harm.
In the first trial, because former lawmaker Ahn's side did not respond at all, the court closed the case without oral arguments and ruled for the plaintiff. But Ahn appealed, leading to the second instance, and the appellate court ruled against the plaintiff, finding that the suspicions Ahn raised had public interest.
In June this year, the Supreme Court overturned the lower ruling and sent the case back to the Seoul Southern District Court. The Supreme Court found that some of Ahn's remarks could constitute defamation and ordered a new review.
The Supreme Court found that unlawfulness could not be excluded for remarks such as "money from Company A that went into a Swiss secret account is linked to Choi" and "Choi met with the chairman of a U.S. defense contractor and profited."