Actress Lee Young-ae filed a lawsuit for damages against a YouTuber who raised allegations linking her charitable activities to First Lady Kim Geon-hee, but she lost the case.
The 12th Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Jin-young) ruled on the 20th that Lee Young-ae's lawsuit against Jeong Cheon-soo, the former head of the YouTube channel Open Communication TV, demanding 250 million won in damages, was dismissed.
The court had previously recommended a settlement in October, suggesting that Jeong's side delete the problematic video, refrain from broadcasting content related to the friendship between Lee and the First Lady, and reflect Lee's position when discussing her political inclinations. However, both parties filed objections, leading to the continuation of the trial.
In September of last year, Lee Young-ae donated 50 million won to the Lee Seung-man Foundation, which is promoting the construction of the Lee Seung-man Presidential Memorial Hall. Open Communication TV reported that Lee Young-ae was linked to the First Lady regarding this donation. In response, Lee's side claimed, "They spread fake news without any verification," and filed a police complaint against Jeong and a lawsuit in court.
The criminal complaint filed by Lee Young-ae against Jeong for violating the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation) is currently under direct investigation by the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office since August.
