Novelist Lee Oi-soo

By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

Well-known novelist Lee Oi-soo, 63, said he will file complaints with police against Internet users who posted malicious comments about him online.

Lee posted an article at DC Inside, an Internet community, Monday titled: ``Why did Lee Oi-soo decide to file complaints.'' He said he wouldn't accept any apology from any malicious online commentators.

``They have cursed, jeered, slandered and used vulgar expression against me. Moreover, they even sexually insulted my parents and wife,'' he said in the article. ``I believe Korea is a democratic republic, but I don't want to believe that it is `a republic of malicious commentators.' I want them to be punished through a lawful investigation.''

Lee had arguments with netizens, including one nicknamed ``factotum,'' over mad cow disease, new rights and other sensitive social and political issues.

An online commentator, identified only as Choi, the person who received a copy of the written complaint from Lee, admitted to Yonhap News Agency that he uses abusive language during the dispute with Lee, but denied that he insulted Lee's family members.

``It is my fault that I spoke ill of him,'' Choi said. ``But Lee also swore at other people as well, and insulted me by making public the complaint letter that is full of his one-side allegations.''

Choi said he would file a counter-suit against Lee.

However, a police officer in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, the region where Lee resides, said the novelist had not filed a complaint with them, according to Yonhap.

meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr