Mukbang YouTuber Jjuyang (real name Park Jeong-won) has refused the deposit from YouTuber Karakula (real name Lee Se-wook), who extorted tens of millions of won from him through threats.
On the 27th, Financial News reported that "Jjuyang's side recently submitted a 'Deposit Recovery Agreement' to the 3rd Criminal Division of the Suwon District Court, stating that they would not claim the 20 million won deposited by Karakula."
Through the deposit recovery agreement, Jjuyang's side stated, "We believed to some extent the claims of the depositor, who argued that the indictment was incorrect and that he was wrongfully charged, but after seeing the facts recognized in the first-instance judgment, we learned specifically what actions the depositor had taken without the knowledge of the depositor (Jjuyang)."
They further stated, "We clearly recognized that the depositor was merely claiming to be wronged in order to avoid severe punishment and to obtain the depositor's (Jjuyang's) intention not to punish," and added that they also learned that the depositor did not genuinely regret or feel sorry for the victim, which is why they refused the settlement.
Karakula has been indicted for involvement in the extortion case against Jjuyang, along with fellow YouTubers Gyujaeok and Jujak Gyeomsa (real name Jeon Guk-jin). In February 2023, Gyujaeok threatened Jjuyang, saying, "We received reports about tax evasion and personal life-related suspicions. If you give us money, we won't publicize it," and extorted 55 million won.
Karakula and Crocodile (real name Choi Il-hwan) are accused of encouraging Gyujaeok to extort money directly rather than posting a revealing video about Jjuyang.
Before the first-instance ruling, Karakula's side claimed innocence, stating, "I have never participated in the extortion crimes of Gyujaeok and others," but the court did not accept this, stating, "The defendant (Karakula) was aware that Gyujaeok was threatening the victim to extort property and facilitated the crime by strengthening or maintaining the intent to commit the crime."
According to the first-instance ruling, Karakula discouraged Gyujaeok, who was contemplating whether to produce a video exposing Jjuyang's personal life or to contact the victim to extort money under the pretext of a tip, by saying, "If you expose Jjuyang, you're just going to get away with it," thus encouraging the extortion.
In the first instance, Gyujaeok was sentenced to 3 years in prison, while Jujak Gyeomsa and Karakula were each sentenced to 1 year in prison with a 3-year probation. Crocodile was fined 5 million won.
During the appeal trial held on the 22nd, the prosecution sought a sentence of 4 years for Gyujaeok, 3 years for Jujak Gyeomsa, and 2 years and 1 year for Karakula and Crocodile, respectively.
The appeal ruling will be held on September 5.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
