@16106004 This is an important point, but I'd add one clarification. Cross-border liability isn't unique to South…
All points noted and appreciated.
It is unfortunate that the unintelligent, willfully ignorant posts may be considered mere opinion by investigators. But collection and investigation of these posts and their sources is needed to determine if they are mere opinion or a coordinated effort to, at the very least, manipulate public opinion against KSH.
It’s also a case study, for those who are actually studying cyber crimes, in how to harass a celebrity, and manipulate public opinion while staying under the legal thresholds of stalking and defamation.
I'm sorry to say this, but posting walls of text filled with generic definitions and excerpts from legal statutes…
Your sarcasm blanked in false kindness is noted.
I am not some online justice police. I’m a responsible viewer who, along with others who are of the same mind, are boiling mad at repeated attacks on an innocent human being by the willfully ignorant.
I was not planning to engage specific haters beyond the education I already posted. It’s there now if they are willing to read so they can increase their understanding and heed that information as the kindest warning to stop and avoid potentially serious consequences that they will probably receive.
I'm sorry to say this, but posting walls of text filled with generic definitions and excerpts from legal statutes…
I appreciate your comments. I would take the helping someone understand approach if they were honestly confused about this issue regarding KSH. But these people are either willfully ignorant or they only wish to continue to spew lies. I wasn’t grandstanding as @daladajang called it.. I was backing up my warnings with specific details about what they continue to do - slander and defaming KSH and what the consequences could very well be for them. On another MDL thread, a fan of KSH said these hate comments are being collected as evidence of continued harassment against KSH. So all the hate comments aren’t going unnoticed.
There is so much more to this story than the age gap and age of consent.People are curious about how KSH may have…
@daldajang Can a cyberstalker or cyber wrecker be held criminally liable if they are in one country and the victim is in South Korea? Short answer is Yes. But scroll up for the complete answer in my separate post. You may want to quit posting such trash.
Scroll down to read my posts on the definitions of Cyberstalker and Cyber Defamation (a/k/a Cyber Wrecker). After you read them, you haters out there might want to quit posting now after you consider this:
Can a cyberstalker or cyber wrecker be held criminally liable if they are in one country and the victim is in South Korea?
Yes. In many cases they can—but it depends on jurisdiction, the country’s laws, and whether authorities cooperate across borders.
South Korea has become one of the more aggressive countries in prosecuting cyber harassment, cyber defamation, and online stalking. If the victim is in South Korea and the harmful conduct has effects there, Korean authorities may investigate even if the perpetrator is abroad.
Here are the main considerations:
* South Korean jurisdiction. Korean prosecutors may claim jurisdiction when conduct committed overseas causes harm within South Korea. This is especially true if the victim is a Korean citizen or resident and the online activity targets them in Korea. * Type of offense. Depending on the conduct, charges could include: * Cyberstalking under Korea’s Anti-Stalking Act. * Criminal defamation or insult (South Korea criminalizes certain forms of defamation, including some true statements if made publicly without sufficient public interest). * Violations of the Information and Communications Network Act. * Extortion, blackmail, threats, or coercion. * Distribution of fabricated or manipulated images or videos. * Interference with business if coordinated online campaigns intentionally damage a person’s commercial activities. * International cooperation. If the suspect is in another country, South Korea generally cannot simply arrest them there. Instead it may seek assistance through: * Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs). * Requests to foreign law enforcement. * Interpol notices in appropriate cases. * Extradition treaties, if the alleged offense qualifies and both countries’ laws permit extradition.
What if the person is in the United States?
If the cyberstalker is in the U.S. and the victim is in South Korea:
* Korean authorities can request assistance from U.S. authorities. * U.S. investigators may pursue violations of U.S. federal or state law if the conduct also violates American law (such as interstate stalking, threats, or cyber harassment). * Extradition is possible in some cases, but it is relatively uncommon for lower-level online harassment. It becomes more likely when the conduct involves serious crimes such as extortion, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, or organized criminal activity.
What if there are many people involved?
This is where “cyber wreckers” (사이버 렉카) become legally interesting.
If multiple individuals knowingly coordinate to:
* spread false information, * harass a victim, * encourage others to attack them, * profit from defamatory content, * or continue harassment after warnings,
they may each face liability. Prosecutors can also investigate whether they acted as part of a conspiracy or criminal enterprise, depending on the evidence.
A real-world example
Recent high-profile Korean cases involving celebrities have shown that prosecutors are increasingly willing to investigate:
* YouTubers, * anonymous social media users, * foreign account holders, * and people who monetized defamatory or stalking content.
Even when suspects are overseas, Korean investigators may seek subscriber records, IP information, financial records, and platform data through international legal channels.
So the short answer is: yes, a cyberstalker or cyber wrecker located in another country can potentially be criminally prosecuted for conduct targeting someone in South Korea. Whether prosecution actually occurs depends on the seriousness of the conduct, the evidence, the laws of both countries, and the willingness of authorities to cooperate internationally.
In the United States, public figures and celebrities face a higher burden of proof in defamation cases compared…
Are you saying because the haters are sitting in their US basements, slinging their digital mud, KSH has a higher burden of proof to prove his innocence?
Cyber defamation is defamation carried out through the internet or other electronic communications. It generally means publishing a false statement of fact about a person or organization online that harms their reputation.
Common examples include:
* Posting false accusations on social media. * Publishing defamatory blog posts or online articles. * Uploading videos that falsely accuse someone of criminal or unethical conduct. * Posting knowingly false reviews or forum comments. * Spreading fabricated screenshots, messages, or edited images as if they were genuine.
How it differs from cyberstalking
* Cyber defamation focuses on damaging a person’s reputation through false statements. * Cyberstalking focuses on repeated harassment, intimidation, or monitoring of a person.
A person can commit one without the other, but in some cases the same conduct may involve both.
United States
Defamation law in the U.S. is primarily state law. To succeed in a civil defamation claim, a plaintiff generally must show:
* A false statement of fact (not merely an opinion). * Publication of that statement to someone else. * Fault by the speaker (the required level depends on whether the plaintiff is a private person or a public figure). * Harm to the plaintiff’s reputation, unless the statement falls into a category where damages are presumed.
Truth is generally a complete defense, and opinions that cannot reasonably be understood as statements of fact are generally not defamatory.
South Korea
South Korea has both civil and criminal defamation laws. Notably:
* Online defamation can be prosecuted under the Information and Communications Network Act in certain circumstances. * Unlike in the U.S., even true statements can sometimes lead to liability if they unlawfully damage another person’s reputation and are not found to serve the public interest. This is a distinctive feature of Korean law.
Example
* Likely not defamation: “I didn’t enjoy this actor’s performance.” (Opinion.) * Potential cyber defamation: “This actor committed fraud,” when the speaker knows it is false or has no factual basis and presents it as fact.
Because cyber defamation laws differ significantly between countries—and even among U.S. states—the outcome of a particular case depends on the specific facts and the applicable law.
Cyberstalking is a pattern of using the internet or electronic communications to harass, intimidate, monitor, threaten, or repeatedly target another person in a way that causes fear or serious emotional distress.
It is more than simply criticizing someone online or posting negative comments. The behavior is typically repeated and unwanted.
Examples include:
* Repeatedly sending unwanted emails, texts, or direct messages. * Following someone across multiple social media platforms after being blocked. * Publishing private information (called doxxing). * Encouraging others to harass or attack the person. * Making threats of violence or harm. * Creating fake accounts to impersonate or defame someone. * Using GPS trackers, spyware, or other technology to monitor someone’s location or activities without permission. * Posting repeated false accusations intended to intimidate or isolate the victim.
In the United States
* There is no single nationwide cyberstalking law, but federal law and many state laws prohibit cyberstalking and online harassment. * Whether conduct is criminal depends on factors such as repeated behavior, intent, threats, and the harm caused.
In South Korea
South Korea has laws specifically addressing online stalking. Repeated online conduct—such as persistent unwanted messages, repeated publication of personal information, or coordinated online harassment—can be prosecuted under the country’s anti-stalking laws and, depending on the conduct, under other laws covering defamation, intimidation, or information and communications offenses.
Example
* Not cyberstalking: Someone posts one negative review of a business or one critical comment about a public figure. * Potential cyberstalking: Someone creates multiple accounts to contact a person every day after being told to stop, posts their personal information, encourages others to harass them, and continues for weeks or months.
The key elements are usually:
1. Repeated conduct (not a one-time event). 2. Unwanted targeting of a specific person. 3. Intent to harass, intimidate, or monitor, or conduct that would reasonably cause fear or substantial emotional distress.
Cyberstalking can occur between strangers, acquaintances, former partners, coworkers, or even fans and public figures. The legal definition varies by jurisdiction, but these core concepts are common.
In case you haters out there didn’t know, Kim Soo Hyun has been officially declared innocent by South Korea’s legal authorities. Not because they were bought off, but because they took months to fully investigate the complaints against him. That means he is - guess what? - not guilty of any crime. He is so innocent that the investigators and the prosecution decided that the accuser-in-chief should be arrested and held behind bars, without bail, until his trial.
Don’t you recall last March when Kim Soo Hyun said he would prove his innocence? Well?
Just sayin’ to you haters who refuse to accept the truth - Actions have consequences. There are people watching you. Laws are either being enforced or are changing around the world, especially in South Korea. Cyberstalking and Cyber Defamation on this or any site are illegal. If you have proof, then bring it or save yourself and quit posting your willfully ignorant hate.
Saying you have evidence without providing it or saying People Know, is considered stalking and/or defamation. Se-Ui told Disney+ if they released Knock-Off, as scheduled, he would release 1000 photos of KSR as a minor with KSH. Disney believed that lie, without so much as asking for one photo as proof, so they pulled it. This is the same thing as you saying you have evidence, as if everyone should be shaking in their boots wondering when the real truth will come out. You are lying just like Se-Ui was lying. There wasn’t even one photo of them to show in that fake stack of 1000. That, among other things, is defamation.
I and people like me have had it with you anti-truth people who claim to KNOW SO MUCH. There is nothing out there that suggests a minor relationship. NOTHING! There were not letterS. There was a kind but generic (analyzed professionally) postcard to someone who sent him a letter while in the military. You willfully fail to acknowledge he was in a relationship with someone else at the time - of which, in order to prove it, he reluctantly provided extensive evidence at great cost to his privacy.
Regarding proof or evidence of any of the allegations against Kim Soo Hyun. Se-Ui NEVER had evidence - and he had the means and capability to obtain evidence if there was any to be had. But there wasn’t any evidence to obtain so he F A B R I C A T E D it. How is it YOU have ‘evidence’, again?
I know you find this hard to accept but hardworking, honest, honorable people still exist in this world as lawyers, as police investigators, as prosecutors, and as judges. If all these people are corrupt, then we are all in trouble. Let me ask you…, If this happened to you, wouldn’t you want hardworking, honest, honorable people supporting you???
Look this up if you dare - ask Chat GPT/Claude/Grok. Why is Kim Soo Hyun the highest paid KDrama actor and is so highly regarded, not only in the Korean market, but in the overseas market (Netflix/Disney) as well. (Note: Lee Jung-Jae was paid more for later episodes of the non-traditional, Squid Games, a Korean produced series made exclusively for Netflix. It never aired separately in Korea from Netflix’s global release). Find out the specific reasons why he, over other very fine actors, owns this spot. I do know the answer - it’s there. But I’ll let you work to find out for yourself, if you’re willing to look.
A first-year psychology 101 student could tell you KSH was not any of those criminal things he was accused of. He never ever fit the psychological or criminal profile of a #### or ####. Smart people knew he was innocent, including the complicit media as well as Kim Se-Ui, himself. But willfully ignorant haters get off peddling lies because they are 1) jealous, 2) too proud to admit they were wrong, or 3) because they don’t have anything better to do with their time but to engage in spewing hate and lies for the thrills of all those clicks or views.
It’s unusual in Korea for someone so heinously accused to not end their life. But KSH knew the truth. He knew he didn’t do what he was accused of doing. As painful as it was to endure all the hate and backlash from literally every angle, he refused to apologize for something he didn’t do. Wow! Could you do that???
He didn’t buy anybody off. He didn’t manipulate anything. He took the legal route to prove his innocence and he came out as he said he always was - INNOCENT.
This reminded me of Harrison Ford's movie Fugitive (for those old enough and know western movies). With the twists…
The Fugitive was awesome. Many people believe it was inspired by the 1950’s case of Dr. Sam Sheppard. Even though the writers of the 1960’s TV series denied the relationship, the similarities are striking: • Sheppard was a doctor. • His wife was murdered. • He insisted an unknown intruder committed the crime. • He was convicted despite maintaining his innocence. Anyway, ten years later he was released. His conviction was overturned because he had not received a fair trial, and he was eventually acquitted in a retrial. No one else has ever been convicted of that crime. The identity of the killer remains a subject of debate and investigation. Hope you enjoyed the history lesson. 🤓
Ep 6: The pure evil of Hye-ri’s dad, Gang Chan, is almost too much for me. His right hand man, Director Nan, is right behind him with his own brand of evil. And Hye-ri herself is just like her dad. The SMD director needs to be locked into a psych ward. There are no words for his stop-at-nothing-forget-all-reason quest to get Agent Kim -especially since he knows how all this started. Mr. Gold Teeth will never succeed in his revenge quest he’s just too stupid.
This child character will never be able to live a normal life! she is bound to suffer from lifelong PTSD, trust…
You’re right. It’s full of ridiculousness. One has to throw away all logic in order to watch and enjoy this drama, for sure. Still, you can really feel Agent Kim’s pain and desperation. How awesome is So Ji Sub?!!
The actors are all doing great!!! Especially Seo Su Min (Kim Min Ji) who is 17/18 years old I believe and still in high school.
The actor for Kim Min Ji is so good, especially considering its her debut drama
She was scouted and found on YouTube where she posts snippets of her daily life as a high school student. One video got something like 3 million views. That’s how she was ‘discovered’’. She’s not even listed as a cast member on MDL.
It is unfortunate that the unintelligent, willfully ignorant posts may be considered mere opinion by investigators. But collection and investigation of these posts and their sources is needed to determine if they are mere opinion or a coordinated effort to, at the very least, manipulate public opinion against KSH.
It’s also a case study, for those who are actually studying cyber crimes, in how to harass a celebrity, and manipulate public opinion while staying
under the legal thresholds of
stalking and defamation.
Again, I appreciate your post.
I have, however, said my peace. Have a blessed day.
I am not some online justice police. I’m a responsible viewer who, along with others who are of the same mind, are boiling mad at repeated attacks on an innocent human being by the willfully ignorant.
I was not planning to engage specific haters beyond the education I already posted. It’s there now if they are willing to read so they can increase their understanding and heed that information as the kindest warning to stop and avoid potentially serious consequences that they will probably receive.
After you read them, you haters out there might want to quit posting now after you consider this:
Can a cyberstalker or cyber wrecker be held criminally liable if they are in one country and the victim is in South Korea?
Yes. In many cases they can—but it depends on jurisdiction, the country’s laws, and whether authorities cooperate across borders.
South Korea has become one of the more aggressive countries in prosecuting cyber harassment, cyber defamation, and online stalking. If the victim is in South Korea and the harmful conduct has effects there, Korean authorities may investigate even if the perpetrator is abroad.
Here are the main considerations:
* South Korean jurisdiction. Korean prosecutors may claim jurisdiction when conduct committed overseas causes harm within South Korea. This is especially true if the victim is a Korean citizen or resident and the online activity targets them in Korea.
* Type of offense. Depending on the conduct, charges could include:
* Cyberstalking under Korea’s Anti-Stalking Act.
* Criminal defamation or insult (South Korea criminalizes certain forms of defamation, including some true statements if made publicly without sufficient public interest).
* Violations of the Information and Communications Network Act.
* Extortion, blackmail, threats, or coercion.
* Distribution of fabricated or manipulated images or videos.
* Interference with business if coordinated online campaigns intentionally damage a person’s commercial activities.
* International cooperation. If the suspect is in another country, South Korea generally cannot simply arrest them there. Instead it may seek assistance through:
* Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs).
* Requests to foreign law enforcement.
* Interpol notices in appropriate cases.
* Extradition treaties, if the alleged offense qualifies and both countries’ laws permit extradition.
What if the person is in the United States?
If the cyberstalker is in the U.S. and the victim is in South Korea:
* Korean authorities can request assistance from U.S. authorities.
* U.S. investigators may pursue violations of U.S. federal or state law if the conduct also violates American law (such as interstate stalking, threats, or cyber harassment).
* Extradition is possible in some cases, but it is relatively uncommon for lower-level online harassment. It becomes more likely when the conduct involves serious crimes such as extortion, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, or organized criminal activity.
What if there are many people involved?
This is where “cyber wreckers” (사이버 렉카) become legally interesting.
If multiple individuals knowingly coordinate to:
* spread false information,
* harass a victim,
* encourage others to attack them,
* profit from defamatory content,
* or continue harassment after warnings,
they may each face liability. Prosecutors can also investigate whether they acted as part of a conspiracy or criminal enterprise, depending on the evidence.
A real-world example
Recent high-profile Korean cases involving celebrities have shown that prosecutors are increasingly willing to investigate:
* YouTubers,
* anonymous social media users,
* foreign account holders,
* and people who monetized defamatory or stalking content.
Even when suspects are overseas, Korean investigators may seek subscriber records, IP information, financial records, and platform data through international legal channels.
So the short answer is: yes, a cyberstalker or cyber wrecker located in another country can potentially be criminally prosecuted for conduct targeting someone in South Korea. Whether prosecution actually occurs depends on the seriousness of the conduct, the evidence, the laws of both countries, and the willingness of authorities to cooperate internationally.
Common examples include:
* Posting false accusations on social media.
* Publishing defamatory blog posts or online articles.
* Uploading videos that falsely accuse someone of criminal or unethical conduct.
* Posting knowingly false reviews or forum comments.
* Spreading fabricated screenshots, messages, or edited images as if they were genuine.
How it differs from cyberstalking
* Cyber defamation focuses on damaging a person’s reputation through false statements.
* Cyberstalking focuses on repeated harassment, intimidation, or monitoring of a person.
A person can commit one without the other, but in some cases the same conduct may involve both.
United States
Defamation law in the U.S. is primarily state law. To succeed in a civil defamation claim, a plaintiff generally must show:
* A false statement of fact (not merely an opinion).
* Publication of that statement to someone else.
* Fault by the speaker (the required level depends on whether the plaintiff is a private person or a public figure).
* Harm to the plaintiff’s reputation, unless the statement falls into a category where damages are presumed.
Truth is generally a complete defense, and opinions that cannot reasonably be understood as statements of fact are generally not defamatory.
South Korea
South Korea has both civil and criminal defamation laws. Notably:
* Online defamation can be prosecuted under the Information and Communications Network Act in certain circumstances.
* Unlike in the U.S., even true statements can sometimes lead to liability if they unlawfully damage another person’s reputation and are not found to serve the public interest. This is a distinctive feature of Korean law.
Example
* Likely not defamation: “I didn’t enjoy this actor’s performance.” (Opinion.)
* Potential cyber defamation: “This actor committed fraud,” when the speaker knows it is false or has no factual basis and presents it as fact.
Because cyber defamation laws differ significantly between countries—and even among U.S. states—the outcome of a particular case depends on the specific facts and the applicable law.
It is more than simply criticizing someone online or posting negative comments. The behavior is typically repeated and unwanted.
Examples include:
* Repeatedly sending unwanted emails, texts, or direct messages.
* Following someone across multiple social media platforms after being blocked.
* Publishing private information (called doxxing).
* Encouraging others to harass or attack the person.
* Making threats of violence or harm.
* Creating fake accounts to impersonate or defame someone.
* Using GPS trackers, spyware, or other technology to monitor someone’s location or activities without permission.
* Posting repeated false accusations intended to intimidate or isolate the victim.
In the United States
* There is no single nationwide cyberstalking law, but federal law and many state laws prohibit cyberstalking and online harassment.
* Whether conduct is criminal depends on factors such as repeated behavior, intent, threats, and the harm caused.
In South Korea
South Korea has laws specifically addressing online stalking. Repeated online conduct—such as persistent unwanted messages, repeated publication of personal information, or coordinated online harassment—can be prosecuted under the country’s anti-stalking laws and, depending on the conduct, under other laws covering defamation, intimidation, or information and communications offenses.
Example
* Not cyberstalking: Someone posts one negative review of a business or one critical comment about a public figure.
* Potential cyberstalking: Someone creates multiple accounts to contact a person every day after being told to stop, posts their personal information, encourages others to harass them, and continues for weeks or months.
The key elements are usually:
1. Repeated conduct (not a one-time event).
2. Unwanted targeting of a specific person.
3. Intent to harass, intimidate, or monitor, or conduct that would reasonably cause fear or substantial emotional distress.
Cyberstalking can occur between strangers, acquaintances, former partners, coworkers, or even fans and public figures. The legal definition varies by jurisdiction, but these core concepts are common.
Don’t you recall last March when Kim Soo Hyun said he would prove his innocence? Well?
Just sayin’ to you haters who refuse to accept the truth - Actions have consequences. There are people watching you. Laws are either being enforced or are changing around the world, especially in South Korea. Cyberstalking and Cyber Defamation on this or any site are illegal. If you have proof, then bring it or save yourself and quit posting your willfully ignorant hate.
Saying you have evidence without providing it or saying People Know, is considered stalking and/or defamation. Se-Ui told Disney+ if they released Knock-Off, as scheduled, he would release 1000 photos of KSR as a minor with KSH. Disney believed that lie, without so much as asking for one photo as proof, so they pulled it. This is the same thing as you saying you have evidence, as if everyone should be shaking in their boots wondering when the real truth will come out. You are lying just like Se-Ui was lying. There wasn’t even one photo of them to show in that fake stack of 1000. That, among other things, is defamation.
I and people like me have had it with you anti-truth people who claim to KNOW SO MUCH. There is nothing out there that suggests a minor relationship. NOTHING! There were not letterS. There was a kind but generic (analyzed professionally) postcard to someone who sent him a letter while in the military. You willfully fail to acknowledge he was in a relationship with someone else at the time - of which, in order to prove it, he reluctantly provided extensive evidence at great cost to his privacy.
Regarding proof or evidence of any of the allegations against Kim Soo Hyun. Se-Ui NEVER had evidence - and he had the means and capability to obtain evidence if there was any to be had. But there wasn’t any evidence to obtain so he F A B R I C A T E D it. How is it YOU have ‘evidence’, again?
I know you find this hard to accept but hardworking, honest, honorable people still exist in this world as lawyers, as police investigators, as prosecutors, and as judges. If all these people are corrupt, then we are all in trouble. Let me ask you…, If this happened to you, wouldn’t you want hardworking, honest, honorable people supporting you???
Look this up if you dare - ask Chat GPT/Claude/Grok. Why is Kim Soo Hyun the highest paid KDrama actor and is so highly regarded, not only in the Korean market, but in the overseas market (Netflix/Disney) as well. (Note: Lee Jung-Jae was paid more for later episodes of the non-traditional, Squid Games, a Korean produced series made exclusively for Netflix. It never aired separately in Korea from Netflix’s global release). Find out the specific reasons why he, over other very fine actors, owns this spot. I do know the answer - it’s there. But I’ll let you work to find out for yourself, if you’re willing to look.
A first-year psychology 101 student could tell you KSH was not any of those criminal things he was accused of. He never ever fit the psychological or criminal profile of a #### or ####. Smart people knew he was innocent, including the complicit media as well as Kim Se-Ui, himself. But willfully ignorant haters get off peddling lies because they are 1) jealous, 2) too proud to admit they were wrong, or 3) because they don’t have anything better to do with their time but to engage in spewing hate and lies for the thrills of all those clicks or views.
It’s unusual in Korea for someone so heinously accused to not end their life. But KSH knew the truth. He knew he didn’t do what he was accused of doing. As painful as it was to endure all the hate and backlash from literally every angle, he refused to apologize for something he didn’t do. Wow! Could you do that???
He didn’t buy anybody off. He didn’t manipulate anything. He took the legal route to prove his innocence and he came out as he said he always was - INNOCENT.
Go home and quit spewing hate and lies.
Even though the writers of the 1960’s TV series denied the relationship, the similarities are striking:
• Sheppard was a doctor.
• His wife was murdered.
• He insisted an unknown intruder committed the crime.
• He was convicted despite maintaining his innocence.
Anyway, ten years later he was released. His conviction was overturned because he had not received a fair trial, and he was eventually acquitted in a retrial.
No one else has ever been convicted of that crime. The identity of the killer remains a subject of debate and investigation.
Hope you enjoyed the history lesson. 🤓
I hope Park Jin Cheol’s wife joins the action.
The actors are all doing great!!! Especially Seo Su Min (Kim Min Ji) who is 17/18 years old I believe and still in high school.