IU Malicious Commenter Receives Increased Sentence in Appeal: 'Denies Crime and Shows No Remorse'

A netizen, who was indicted for posting malicious comments directed at singer and actress IU, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the appellate court.

On the 31st, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeal Division 9-2 (Presiding Judges Hwang Bo-seung-hyeok, Jeong Hye-won, and Choi Bo-won) sentenced 'A' to 4 months in prison with a 1-year probation period for insulting IU. The court also ordered probation and 80 hours of community service.

'A' was originally sentenced to a fine of 3 million won in the first instance for posting four malicious comments regarding IU online, but the sentence was increased in the second instance. Subsequently, another case involving similar charges of posting malicious comments was merged during the appeal process. In the first instance of that case, 'A' was also sentenced to a fine of 3 million won.

The appellate court ruled, “The defendant used expressions such as ‘fraudster’ and ‘mental illness’ while referring to the female victim. This constitutes an insult, and the intent to insult is also recognized. Even if the victim is a public figure, such expressions exceed the level that can be permitted under social norms.”

The defendant's lack of remorse also served as a reason for the sentencing, with the court stating, “The defendant has denied the crime and has not shown remorse up to this appellate court, and has not been forgiven by the victim. There is also a significant risk of recidivism as the defendant repeated the same crime.”

However, the court noted that the fact that 'A' suffers from intractable epilepsy, making emotional regulation difficult, and the fact that the comments were deleted, were considered favorable circumstances for mitigation.

As 'A' did not appeal to the Supreme Court, this ruling has been finalized.