Most Popular
-
1
Dongduk Women’s University halts coeducation talks
-
2
Defense ministry denies special treatment for BTS’ V amid phone use allegations
-
3
Russia sent 'anti-air' missiles to Pyongyang, Yoon's aide says
-
4
OpenAI in talks with Samsung to power AI features, report says
-
5
Two jailed for forcing disabled teens into prostitution
-
6
South Korean military plans to launch new division for future warfare
-
7
Gold bars and cash bundles; authorities confiscate millions from tax dodgers
-
8
Kia EV9 GT marks world debut at LA Motor Show
-
9
Teen smoking, drinking decline, while mental health, dietary habits worsen
-
10
Trump picks ex-N. Korea policy official as his principal deputy national security adviser
Court rules libel charges for online slander constitutional
By Lee Hyun-jeongPublished : Feb. 29, 2016 - 17:01
Two individuals, one of them identified by the surname Choi, filed a constitutional appeal after they were fined 1.5 million won ($1,200) for posting defamatory comments online against a businessman who failed to return their investment costs.
They claimed that the definition of “slanderous purpose” in the information network law is ambiguous and that the regulation excessively breaches fundamental human rights.
The information network law stipulates that those who reveal facts online to damage reputation for the purpose of slandering can be punished with a jail term of up to three years or fined up to 20 million won.
In a 7-2 decision, however, the court said that “there is a necessity to protect personal rights by regulating slanderous expressions even in cases which guarantee the freedom of expressions.”
By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)
