An internet user who repeatedly posted malicious comments about singer and actress IU has been given a suspended prison sentence, a harsher punishment than the fine they previously received, according to legal sources on Sunday.

The Seoul Central District Court’s appellate division for criminal trial sentenced the defendant to four months in prison, suspended for one year, on charges of insult. The court also ordered the defendant to undergo probation and complete 80 hours of community service.


In the first ruling, the defendant was fined 3 million won ($1,990) for posting four malicious online comments in April 2022, all of which disparaged the singer’s remarks, singing ability and clothing.

After a separate case involving additional malicious comments was added, the appellate division consolidated the two cases and recently handed down a heavier sentence.

Originally, the defendant had been fined 3 million won in each case at the first trial.

“I had no intention of insulting [the singer] and the comments were not the kind that would undermine her social reputation, and therefore it cannot be a criminal insult,” the defendant argued.

However, the appellate division rejected the argument.

“The defendant used expressions such as ‘fraud’ and ‘mental illness’ in referring to the female victim,” the court said.

“These remarks constitute abstract judgments or hateful expressions that could harm the victim’s social reputation, and therefore constitute insult,” the court added, noting the defendant had carried an intent for insult.

The court said the remarks in question went beyond what society would consider an acceptable expression of opinion about a public figure.

“The defendant has consistently denied wrongdoing throughout the appeal, shown no remorse and has not been forgiven by the victim,” the court said. “Given that the defendant repeatedly committed the same offense, the risk of reoffending is also considerable.”

The court said it took into account several mitigating factors, including that the defendant had no criminal record, which in the past resulted in a punishment more severe than a fine, and a medical diagnosis of intractable epilepsy that makes them difficult to control emotions. The court also considered that comments were deleted afterward.

The ruling was finalized after the defendant decided not to appeal.

IU has maintained a hard-line stance against malicious online comments since 2013. The singer has since pursued legal action against the offenders.





This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY CHO MUN-GYU [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]