A woman in her 40s who repeatedly contacted actor Hwang Jung-min and sent photos of a will and a dead cat has been fined 6 million won in the first trial on a stalking charge.
On the 8th, Kim Young-a, Director General judge of the solo-judge Criminal Division 4 at the Goyang branch of the Uijeongbu District Court, sentenced a woman in her 40s, identified as A, who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking, to a fine of 6 million won. The court also ordered her to complete 40 hours of a stalking-prevention program.
The court said, "Given the number and frequency of the texts, it is recognized that the victim's anxiety rose to a level that could cause fear," and added, "It is judged that the defendant was aware the victim did not want continued contact."
It continued, "Even if there had been a legitimate reason to make contact, the content and frequency of the messages went beyond a level that could justify the defendant's conduct," explaining the reasoning for the ruling.
A did not appear for the sentencing hearing that day, and only the attorney came to court.
Earlier, A was brought to trial after being investigated following a complaint filed by Hwang Jung-min in Aug. last year. In Feb., the court issued a summary order fining A 3 million won, but A objected and requested a formal trial.
The case became known recently when A, through her social media (SNS), claimed to have had a personal relationship with Hwang Jung-min and disclosed call recordings and message conversations.
At the closing arguments, A acknowledged sending Hwang Jung-min messages implying suicide, a will, and photos of a dead cat. However, A argued it was not intended to cause anxiety or fear to Hwang Jung-min, but was sent to inform about her condition and to settle the relationship.
On the 11th of last month, prosecutors asked the court to sentence A to a fine of 10 million won.