Jang Jin-sung, a prominent figure known for his memoir “Dear Leader” and for his defection from North Korea, recently emerged victorious in a defamation lawsuit brought against him by a fellow defector and a South Korean broadcaster. The lawsuit, which centered around allegations of rape, garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally.
In 2021, Jang Jin-sung initiated legal action against Sung Sel-hyang, his accuser, and the South Korean television channel MBC, following MBC’s airing of reports detailing Sung’s accusations. Last month, the South Korean Supreme Court upheld a previous ruling in favor of Jang Jin-sung, affirming the lower court’s decision.
The lower court’s ruling, issued in October, deemed Sung Sel-hyang’s allegations to be false and ordered her, along with MBC and two additional defendants, to compensate Jang Jin-sung with a total of 47 million won, equivalent to approximately $35,000, in damages. Furthermore, MBC was prohibited from rebroadcasting its 2021 reports concerning Jang Jin-sung or sharing them online.
Jang Jin-sung, who defected from North Korea in 2004, enjoys significant recognition internationally, primarily due to his acclaimed memoir “Dear Leader.” Conversely, Sung Sel-hyang, also a defector from North Korea, claimed to have been raped by Jang Jin-sung and one of his South Korean associates shortly after their initial encounter in 2016.
However, the lower court dismissed Sung Sel-hyang’s allegations, citing inconsistencies, lack of credibility, and absence of supporting evidence in her statements. The court’s ruling, reviewed by The New York Times, underscored the lack of veracity in Sung Sel-hyang’s accusations.
Despite MBC’s argument that its reports served the public interest, the court criticized the broadcaster for displaying bias towards Sung Sel-hyang and insinuating the validity of her claims without sufficient evidence. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling on March 14 echoed the findings of the lower court, upholding its decision.
In response to the outcome, Jang Jin-sung, aged 53, expressed his perspectives on the judicial systems of both North and South Korea. He highlighted the totalitarian nature of North Korea’s dictatorship, which perpetuated a network of prison camps, while also condemning what he perceived as the proliferation of “fake news” in South Korea, capable of shaping public opinion.
It’s worth noting that Sung Sel-hyang previously filed a lawsuit accusing Jang Jin-sung and his associate of rape and other sexual offenses, urging law enforcement authorities to press charges. However, authorities declined to pursue the case due to insufficient evidence. Jang Jin-sung’s associate, also a plaintiff in the defamation suit, was awarded 11 million won in damages.
