Min Hee-jin Wins Partial Victory in Lawsuit Against Malicious Commenters, Awarded 300,000 Won Each

Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has won a partial victory in a damages lawsuit she filed against netizens who posted malicious comments about her. The court ordered four individuals who posted malicious comments to pay 300,000 won each. The lawsuit pertained to malicious comments made during the management rights dispute with HYBE last year, for which Min had sought 3 to 4 million won in compensation per person. The Seoul Western District Court recognized the grounds for compensation, stating that some comments exceeded the scope of free expression of opinion and constituted insults, even though they concerned matters of public interest, ordering a compensation of 300,000 won. The court determined that some comments were intended to convey feelings of contempt, mockery, or disdain, and that the plaintiff's social standing had been damaged, thus holding the defendants responsible for compensating mental distress.

However, comments deemed 'not excessively malicious and intended to emphasize personal opinions' were ruled not to constitute illegal acts.

Meanwhile, a hearing for the damages lawsuit between Min and Belift Lab and Source Music is scheduled for May 15th. Belift Lab and Source Music had previously filed civil lawsuits seeking 2 billion won and 500 million won, respectively.