In the defamation case that Starship Entertainment filed against the YouTube channel "Taldeok Prison Camp," the Supreme Court finalized a guilty verdict. The judiciary delivered a final ruling on the long-running dissemination of false information and slander against label artist Jang Won-young.
On the 30th, Starship said in an official statement, "On Jan. 29, 2026, the Supreme Court's second division finalized the lower court's ruling against the operator of 'Taldeok Prison Camp,' who was indicted for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation)."
In the first and second trials, the court sentenced the Taldeok Prison Camp operator to two years in prison, suspended for three years, a forfeiture of 210 million won, and 120 hours of community service. The Supreme Court found no legal issues with the ruling and affirmed it as is.
The court said, "Even if unverified content is packaged as speculation or as raising suspicions, it constitutes dissemination of false information if, in the overall context, it is perceived as fact," and judged that "even if a person is a public figure, entertainers are subject to the protection of honor and personality rights."
Starship said, "This ruling is a clear warning against so-called 'cyber wreckers' who exploit anonymity and the packaging of content," adding, "We will continue to take strong legal action without any leniency against all illegal acts, including the dissemination of false information, slander, defamation, and violations of personality rights targeting our artists."
It added, "We will also take strict legal measures, including criminal complaints, against the spread of fake-news videos via YouTube and social media Shorts and the acts of inducing cyberbullying through them."
Starship also said, "To prevent similar damage from recurring, we are conducting continuous monitoring alongside legal action," adding, "We are deeply grateful to the fans who sent tips and support during the handling of this matter. We will continue to do our best to foster a healthy online culture."
Meanwhile, operator A of "Taldeok Prison Camp" was found to have produced and distributed malicious rumor videos targeting top-tier idols, including Jang Won-young; EXO; BTS members V and Jungkook; and singer Kang Daniel, from Oct. 2021 to June 2023. During this process, the operator was found to have obtained about 250 million won in unlawful gains through YouTube channel revenue and other means.