Source: Yonhap News via Naver
Goo Hara's ex-boyfriend Choi Jong Bum (29) illegal filming charges have been thrown out of court.
The Seoul Central District Court had originally sentenced Choi Jong Bum to 1.5 years in prison and three years probation for blackmail and illegal filming but that sentence was overturned in favor of a one year sentence for blackmail.
The court also ruled that Choi was a flight risk and arrested him on the same day.
The court stated, "sexual crimes are the most serious violations of privacy and threatening to expose a sex tape taken with the victim is an irreversible mental injury to the victim and their reputation. In addition, the defendant [Choi] recognized that the victim is a famous celebrity and knew the degree of damage would be very serious if the sex tape was released and yet he still threatened her with spreading the video through media."
However the Court of Appeals judged Choi innocent on allegations of filming Goo Hara without consent stating, "It's hard to prove without a reasonable doubt from the evidence presented by the prosecutor that the sex tape was filmed without the victim's consent."
Goo Hara's brother Goo Ho In met with reporters after sentencing and stated, "It's a small consolation to the family to know that he received a sentence during appeal but the fact that he only received one year is sadly very common and unfortunate. If my sister was alive and saw that he only got probation she would've been traumatized but I hope she's satisfied even a little to know he received some jail time."
He added, "We plan to file an appeal with prosecution against the sentence as it's too light."
The court stated, "sexual crimes are the most serious violations of privacy and threatening to expose a sex tape taken with the victim is an irreversible mental injury to the victim and their reputation. In addition, the defendant [Choi] recognized that the victim is a famous celebrity and knew the degree of damage would be very serious if the sex tape was released and yet he still threatened her with spreading the video through media."
However the Court of Appeals judged Choi innocent on allegations of filming Goo Hara without consent stating, "It's hard to prove without a reasonable doubt from the evidence presented by the prosecutor that the sex tape was filmed without the victim's consent."
Goo Hara's brother Goo Ho In met with reporters after sentencing and stated, "It's a small consolation to the family to know that he received a sentence during appeal but the fact that he only received one year is sadly very common and unfortunate. If my sister was alive and saw that he only got probation she would've been traumatized but I hope she's satisfied even a little to know he received some jail time."
He added, "We plan to file an appeal with prosecution against the sentence as it's too light."
- [+6,550, -65] What's one year to this ba$tard that ruined an entire life
- [+2,656, -34] But, how does it make sense that someone that threatened to distribute a sex tape of a celebrity, that's not an ordinary person, only got one year. Even as a man, this is wrong. Is there anyone that can't tell what his intentions were? This ba$tard is a criminal and he's only getting one year?
- [+2,022, -73] I'm a guy too and even the judge is a sellout. What's one year? This guy took away someone's life causing her family have a hard time. And it's not 10 years but one?..judges need to start thinking about the national sentiment..
- [+1,299, -44] Oh Deok-sik, that trash ba$tard basically killed Goo Hara https://www1.president.go.kr/petitions/Temp/hynxn
- [+951, -28] Ladies and gents please break up cleanly if there's no more love anymore. There's no need to hurt someone you loved like thisㅉㅉㅉㅉ.
- [+323, -2] It's not like he has any other siblings. From lawsuits against their birth mother and the ex-boyfriend suit, he's working so hard to make sure his only sister can rest peacefully in heaven. How frustrating it must be to know that justice is not being served despite his best efforts. I hope he doesn't give up..I'm rooting for you.
- [+258, -3] Pansa-nim [Judge]!!! Because of his threats, the victim lived in pain to the point that she took her life. Please look at the case correctly and put out a proper judgement!!
- [+151, -11] He killed a person..but still one year??? Pansanim...wake up. Will you judge it the same if the victim was your own daughter?