Man Who Accused Hyun Joo-yup of School Violence Acquitted in Second Trial

A man in his 40s, who sued former professional basketball player and broadcaster Hyun Joo-yup, claiming he was a victim of school violence, has been found not guilty in the appellate court as well. On the 30th, the Suwon District Court's Division 1-2 Criminal Panel dismissed the prosecution's appeal and upheld the first trial's acquittal of Mr. A, who was indicted on charges of defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.

In March 2021, Mr. A posted an article on an online community alleging that Hyun Joo-yup had committed violence against a junior from his school. Mr. A identified himself as a junior from the same middle and high school as Hyun Joo-yup and a former member of the basketball team, claiming Hyun Joo-yup's bullying led him to quit basketball during his school years.

The first trial court ruled that the evidence submitted by the prosecution was insufficient to conclude that the contents of Mr. A's post were false. The court also viewed Mr. A's motive as stemming from a desire for revenge for past bullying rather than financial gain. However, the court reserved judgment on whether Hyun Joo-yup had actually inflicted physical violence on his junior.

In its appeal, the prosecution argued that the first trial court's acquittal was based on misinterpretation of facts or law, asserting that it was clear Mr. A had defamed the victim with the intent to extort money. Nevertheless, the appellate court found that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Mr. A had disclosed false information with the intent to slander Hyun Joo-yup.