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The prosecution indicted 12 Internet users on charges of defamation Thursday for disseminating libelous disinformation questioning the academic achievements and school record of hip hop singer Tablo.
It also suspended the indictment of six others, including a Korean-American blogger identified as Kim, 57, also known as “whatbecomes,” who created the Tablo-bashing online cafe “Tajinyo,” as they either live abroad or their whereabouts are unknown.
“Tablo and his family had to go through an extremely difficult time due to their spreading of slanderous and groundless rumors. He was not able to continue his career,” said an official from the prosecution. “They need to be punished harshly as they had an adverse impact on society. We hope this case will provide momentum to introduce an Internet culture that respects the privacy of others.”
The suspects were charged with launching a collective “investigation” to fabricate materials suggesting Tablo’s Stanford diploma was bogus in November last year.
Police confirmed in October that Tablo, whose Korean name is Lee Seon-woong, had in fact earned a bachelor’s degree in March 2001 and a master’s degree in June, 2002, from Stanford University.
Despite the earnest efforts by Tablo who disclosed his report cards and valid documents he had received from the school, the offenders spitefully continued to spread rumors and defame him.
The prosecution requested an extradition order for Kim from the Ministry of Justice as he used another person’s personal data to create an internet cafe and posted malicious comments.
The investigation of other Korean suspects resident overseas will continue.
‘타진요’ 회원 12명 명예훼손으로 기소
검찰은 목요일 가수 타블로의 학력의혹을 제기하며 명예를 훼손한 혐의로 인터넷 까페 ‘타블로에게 진실을 요구합니다(타진요)’ 회원 12명을 기소했다. 또 미국에 머물고 있는 ‘타진요’ 운영자 김모(왓비컴즈)씨에 대해서는 범죄인 인도요청을 청구하는 등 6명을 기소중지했으며 기소유예했다. 검찰 관계자는 “‘타블로와 가족은 근거없이 비방하는 소문을 퍼뜨려 어려움을 겪었으며 가수생활을 계속 할 수 없었다”며 “전 사회에 부정적인 영향을 끼쳐 엄벌할 필요성이 있으며 이번 사건이 타인의 사생활을 존중하는 인터넷 문화를 도입하는데 계기를 제공하기를 바란다”고 말했다.
이들은 지난해 11월 타블로의 스탠퍼드대 졸업장이 가짜임을 보여주는 자료를 알아내기 위해 집단 “조사”를 벌인 혐의를 받고 있다.
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