Sojang accuses prosecution of media manipulation amid ongoing trial

Youtuber Sojang has accused the prosecution of media manipulation. They claim that even before the criminal trial has begun, the prosecution has been issuing press releases to influence public opinion.

The 50th independent division of the Seoul Central District Court held the third argument session for Park (Sojang), on the 19th. Starship Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Park, demanding 100 million Won ($72,500 USD) in damages.

During the trial, the judge asked Park’s side about the progress of the criminal case. Park’s lawyer responded, “The indictment has been made, but the trial has not yet started.”

The Incheon District Prosecutor’s Office indicted Park without detention on charges of defamation and insult under the Information and Communications Network Act on the 13th of last month. Park is accused of posting defamatory videos about celebrities on the YouTube channel ‘Sojang,’ damaging their reputations.

Park’s side challenged the evidence provided by Starship. “The prosecution has unusually released a press release about this case, which could be seen as publicizing the facts of the suspect’s case, and Starship has submitted this as evidence,” they pointed out.

They also mentioned that arrest warrants had been dismissed twice. “The Incheon District Prosecutor’s Office wanted to indict Park with detention and applied for a warrant, but it was dismissed. They reapplied by merging other cases, but that was also dismissed,” they explained.

They argued, “In the end, he was indicted without detention. We don’t know the intention, but it seems like they’re manipulating the media.”

On the 14th of last month, the Incheon District Prosecutor’s Office distributed a press release related to Sojang. The title was ‘YouTuber Indicted for Making Billions from Fake News about Celebrities.’

The prosecution disclosed the charges by the victim, the results of the search and seizure of Park’s residence, the revenue structure of Sojang, and the criminal proceeds 250 million Won ($181,200 USD).

Starship’s lawyer rebutted, “The agency did not submit this separately. It was distributed by the prosecution, so it can be sufficiently submitted as evidence.”

The judge remarked, “It’s ultimately a matter of credibility and how it is judged that is key.”

The next session is scheduled for August 14.

SEE ALSO: Summary of the charges by 8 victims filed against the Infamous YouTuber Sojang