Starship Entertainment Advances Defamation Case Against YouTuber Sojang
Starship Entertainment is pushing ahead with its defamation lawsuit against online content creator Sojang, following a significant ruling from the Seoul Central District Court. On August 6, the court’s 8-1 Civil Division referred the agency’s claims for damages to mediation, a process intended to facilitate a voluntary agreement before proceeding to trial.
While mediation is a standard legal procedure, it holds the same weight as a final judgment. A representative from Starship Entertainment clarified their position, stating that they are not pursuing a monetary settlement but rather seeking “rightful punishment” for the damaging assertions made against their artists. They also expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of reaching a consensus through mediation.
The Origins of the Conflict
The legal conflict traces back to November 2022, when Starship filed a civil suit against Park Sojang, known online as Sojang, seeking $72, 000 in damages for a series of alleged defamatory statements. In a ruling on June 4, the 50th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court sided with Starship, awarding $36, 000, which is half of their initial request, while also considering some parts of Park’s defense. In response to this judgment, Park filed an appeal on June 18, disputing the court’s decision.
Allegations of Defamation
Starship Entertainment contends that Park produced at least 23 videos from October 2021 to June 2023, which spread unverified and harmful rumors about several of its artists, including Jang Won-young from IVE. These videos garnered substantial viewership and are believed to have adversely affected the reputations of the idols and disrupted the agency’s business operations.
Broader Legal Issues for Sojang
Park’s legal concerns extend beyond the current civil suit. Earlier this year, in January, the Incheon District Court sentenced her to two years in prison, along with a three-year probation and $151, 000 in fines, after finding her culpable for defaming multiple public figures. Additionally, she is facing other civil and criminal lawsuits initiated by BTS members V and Jungkook, as well as singer Kang Daniel. Notably, mediation attempts in the BTS case failed during a hearing on July 22.
Looking Ahead
Given Starship Entertainment’s position on mediation, the lawsuit is poised to proceed to a full trial if an amicable agreement cannot be reached. Currently, no date has been established for the upcoming trial. This firm approach by Starship highlights a notable trend within the K-pop industry, reflecting a growing commitment to employing vigorous legal actions to combat damaging online rumors and safeguard the dignity of artists.
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