Reporter fined for defaming singer

By Chung Hyun-chae

Seungri

The Seoul Central District Court said Sunday that it recently ordered an online reporter, surnamed Kim, to pay 7 million won ($6,250) in compensation to K-pop boy band BigBang member Seungri for defaming the singer with false drunk driving allegations.

Seungri rear-ended a car on his way home from a party at a club in Gangnam, southern Seoul, at around 3 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2014.

Upon hearing from another party participant that Seungri consumed alcohol at the party, Kim raised the suspicion on Twitter that Seungri was driving under the influence of alcohol and wrote two related articles for his online news outlet.

Police said they breathalyzed Seungri at the scene of the accident but he was not over the legal limit. They said the cause of the accident was Seungri’s speeding.

Last August, Seungri filed a damage suit against the reporter seeking 50 million won in compensation, saying that his reputation was damaged by Kim’s Twitter comment and articles.

The court ruled in favor of the singer, saying, “Kim wrote articles based on only one witness’ testimony, which could be inaccurate.”