Court Recognizes Liability for Defamation by Kim Mina, City Councilor, in 'Itaewon Disaster' Remarks... "Contemptuous Personal Attack"

[Financial News] The court recognized the liability for damages to the bereaved families against Kim Mina, a councilor of Changwon City, Gyeongnam, who was embroiled in controversy over derogatory remarks about the victims during the 10.29 Itaewon disaster on personal SNS. It was confirmed that some of the posts constituted contemptuous personal attacks, causing mental harm.
Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 912, presided by Judge Lee Sun-hee, ruled partially in favor of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by 150 bereaved family members against Councilor Kim for damages on the afternoon of the 10th.
The court recognized the liability for damages in 2 out of 4 Facebook posts by Councilor Kim, which the bereaved families had taken issue with. In particular, one of these posts was deemed a "contemptuous personal attack infringing on the personality rights of all plaintiffs," and "liability for damages is recognized," it stated.
The amount of damages was set between 300,000 to 3 million won, depending on whether the bereaved family members were the deceased's spouse, direct ascendants, fiancés, siblings, or relatives.
Previously, the Citizens' Countermeasure Committee for the 10.29 Itaewon disaster and the Bereaved Families Association, affiliated with the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun), filed a lawsuit against Councilor Kim in March 2023, claiming approximately 450 million won in damages.
Kim, a member of the People Power Party, posted controversial content on her Facebook account against the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster from November to December 2022, including statements like "They are selling their children for profit" and "Did they die saving the country?"
In response, the bereaved families filed a criminal complaint against Councilor Kim for defamation and proceeded with the damages lawsuit.
In the appellate trial of the criminal case last October, Councilor Kim received a suspended sentence of 3 months in prison, which was confirmed. A suspended sentence is a system where the sentencing is deferred for 2 years if the offense is recognized as guilty but is considered minor.
 
scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter