Pastor fined for spreading false claims that a former congregant was nicknamed “Twin Knives” and had an affair at 19

[Financial News] A pastor who spread false information on a YouTube broadcast about the private life of a former church member was sentenced to a fine.
On the 1st, Judge Byun Sung-hwan of Busan District Court’s Criminal Division 4, sitting alone, sentenced Pastor A, who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation) and insult, to a fine of 2 million won.
A, a pastor at a church in Busan, is accused of spreading false information about B, a former congregant, during a YouTube broadcast viewable by an unspecified number of people on January 10.
During the broadcast, he said that B had been known by the nickname “Twin Knives” during school and had carried nunchucks. He was also reported to have said that B had an affair at age 19. However, B had neither been involved in an extramarital relationship around age 19 nor been called by that nickname.
A is also accused of insulting B during a YouTube broadcast on April 10, when he mentioned B’s real name and made remarks such as “Get a grip” and “You’ll all end up in hell.”
At trial, A argued that his actions constituted a justifiable act under criminal law and were therefore not unlawful. Judge Byun rejected A’s argument, saying it was difficult to accept after considering the circumstances of the offense and the content of the remarks.
[email protected] Kim Hee-sun Reporter