By Yun Suh-young
Popular actress Song Hye-kyo filed a complaint with the prosecution against 41 netizens who spread false rumors about her online.
In the complaint, Song claimed the Internet users defamed her by spreading rumors that she was “sponsored” by a politician.
Song’s agency said the decision was inevitable because the netizens had severely and continuously damaged Song’s reputation.
“We filed a complaint last Thursday with the prosecution because Song was being wrongfully depicted online as a ‘sponsored actress’ by malicious internet users,” said Effigies, Song’s agency, in a statement. “Although Song knew of the false rumors about her she waited for the netizens to eventually refrain. Since the level of defamation had reached the point where she could not endure it anymore, it was necessary to request legal help.”
According to the complaint, false rumors about Song have spread online from September 2008 to December 2011.
Song’s agency, however, made it clear that the move was not to be seen as a disapproval of freedom of expression online.
“Despite the inevitable decision she made, Song still believes in the freedom to exchange views on the internet,” the agency said.