The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Thu, February 25, 2021 | 22:58
K-pop star Goo Ha-ra's ex-boyfriend jailed for sex video blackmail
Posted : 2020-07-03 15:02
Updated : 2020-07-04 12:25
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Choi Jong-bum, a former boyfriend of late K-pop singer Goo Ha-ra, enters the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Choi Jong-bum, a former boyfriend of late K-pop singer Goo Ha-ra, enters the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

By Lee Gyu-lee

Late K-pop star Goo Ha-ra's ex-boyfriend has been jailed for blackmailing her over sex videos that eventually led her to her apparent suicide.

A panel of three judges sentenced Choi Jong-bum, 29, to one year in prison, Thursday, overturning a lower court's 18-month sentence suspended for three years.

Before her death on Nov. 24, 2019, Goo, a member of now-disbanded girl group Kara, told media that Choi had threatened to leak their sex videos. Surveillance video footage showed the singer kneeling before him.

"Sexual relations are the most intimate part of one's privacy, so threatening to leak the video would have imposed irreversible damage on the victim and destroyed her reputation," the court said in the ruling.

"Given that the victim was a famous celebrity, the defendant was evidently aware that the degree of damage would be very serious. Yet, he worsened the crime by using it against her and threatening to leak it to the media."

But the court said there was "not sufficient evidence" that she did not consent to be filmed.

Her death again turned the spotlight on the country's epidemic of spycam crimes, which have become a major social problem in recent years.

Goo's brother Ho-in expressed mixed feelings about the ruling, saying the penalty was still too lenient.

"I do take it as a small comfort that he received a real prison sentence this time," he told reporters. "The fact he was not found guilty for the illegally taped video, and (receiving) a one-year sentence still feels unfair."

Goo focused on her solo career after Kara broke up in 2016 and toured Japan with her latest release shortly before her death.

The news came only a month after Sulli ― a K-pop star and her friend ― took her own life after years of struggle with stress and online bullying.


Emailgyulee@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter









 
 
  • K League star Ki Sung-yueng denies sexual assault allegations
  • All overseas arrivals required to submit negative PCR test results
  • Haute couture designer Kay Kim speaks about SM's girl band debut costume, her brand
  • Korea reports 1st population decline in 2020; total fertility rate hits new record of 0.84
  • Victims still reeling from traumatic past, yet bullies forgetful
  • Earth is suffering [PHOTOS]
  • Hyundai to replace Kona EV batteries
  • [ANALYSIS] Is Samsung Electronics losing competence in NAND?
  • New virus cases rebound to over 400 ahead of vaccine rollout
  • South Korea raises wartime sex slavery issue at UN
  • B.A.P Himchan sentenced to 10 months in prison for sexual assault B.A.P Himchan sentenced to 10 months in prison for sexual assault
  • Agency refuses to confirm report that Jennie and G-Dragon are dating Agency refuses to confirm report that Jennie and G-Dragon are dating
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Minari' actor Han Ye-ri recalls why the film is special to her [INTERVIEW] 'Minari' actor Han Ye-ri recalls why the film is special to her
  • Online streamer under fire for 'thoughtless' behavior in Brazil Online streamer under fire for 'thoughtless' behavior in Brazil
  • 'Beauty Water' becomes 1st Korean animated film to win award at Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival 'Beauty Water' becomes 1st Korean animated film to win award at Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival
DARKROOM
  • Earth is suffering [PHOTOS]

    Earth is suffering [PHOTOS]

  • NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

    NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

  • Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

    Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

  • Our children deserve better: Part 3

    Our children deserve better: Part 3

  • Mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign starts: Part 2

    Mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign starts: Part 2

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • 고충처리인
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright