Chosun Ilbo loses lawsuit over Jang Ja-yeon scandal

By Lee Hyo-sik

Major conservative newspaper the Chosun Ilbo, has lost a lawsuit against two KBS reporters who reported its president, Bang Sang-hoon, was included on a list created by actress Jang Ja-yeong who committed suicide in March 2009, court officials said Wednesday.

The list contained the names of men Jang claimed she was forced to entertain sexually.

The newspaper filed a libel suit against the journalists, seeking 1.9 billion won in compensation, arguing its reputation was severely tarnished by their action.

In March 2009, the state-run broadcaster ran a series of reports that Bang was one of the high-profile figures entertained by the dead actress and the Chosun Ilbo tried to cover it up.

In 2009, Jang exposed claims of sexual exploitation of entertainers when she committed suicide at the age of 27, alleging coercion to provide sexual services to executives of the entertainment industry, major corporations, financial institutions and media outlets.

Individuals mentioned on the list were questioned by police over whether they had been ``entertained’’ by the dead actress. But only two people ― Jang’s manager and head of her management agency ― were indicted and found guilty of abusing her.

In November last year, the Chosun Ilbo also lost a suit it filed against two opposition lawmakers ― Lee Jong-kul and Lee Jung-hee. The two were sued for making remarks that Bang was included on the list as having received hostess services from Jang while drinking.

The court also ruled against the newspaper in another case, which demanded 800 million won in compensation from MBC and its former “News Desk” anchor Shin Kyoung-min.