I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Actress Yoon Ji-oh sued for defamation
Actress-model Yoon Ji-oh / Korea Times file
By Kang Hyun-kyung
By Kang Hyun-kyung
A lawsuit was filed against actress Yoon Ji-oh, Tuesday, for defamation and the spreading of false information regarding the suicide of actress Jang Ja-yeon.
Writer Kim Soo-min took the legal action against Yoon, weeks after the two clashed over the truth of the so-called Jang Ja-yeon list which reportedly had the names of some 40 people, including daily newspaper publishers and business moguls, who had allegedly sexually exploited her.
Lawyer Park Hoon, who represents Kim, filed the lawsuit with Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
In a statement posted on social media, Park claimed Yoon was using Jang's death to raise money on an overseas website.
“I filed a lawsuit against Yoon for spreading false information, defamation and insults. She is using Jang's death. I deeply regret what she has been doing,” the statement read.
“It's true that she witnessed Cho, a journalist, sexually harass Jang, but this is the only incident she saw in person. She insists she saw the Jang Ja-yeon list, which is not true. She says she swears she is telling the truth. She even claims her act could cost her life but she is risking it in order to bring justice. And she takes donations from people.”
Park claimed the Jang Ja-yeon list doesn't exist but Yoon was lying by saying she saw it before it was burnt.
He requested the police impose a travel ban on Yoon who reportedly was to leave Korea for Canada, Tuesday evening.
“If she is innocent, I think she will cooperate with investigators. However, if she leaves Korea, it will remain a cold case,” the statement read.
Before the legal action, Kim and Yoon made accusations against each other.
Yoon dismissed Kim and claimed she made things up for her own sake.
The two reportedly came to know each other while they were discussing publishing a book about the late actress. Yoon released a memoir, titled “The 13th Testimony,” in March, telling her side of the story about the circumstances behind the death of Jang.