Lee Ha-neul denies defamation charges against Ju Bitrain... "Facts are clear, for public interest" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

DJ DOC member Lee Ha-neul, who was brought to trial on charges of defaming rapper Ju Bitrain, denied the allegations.

The Goyang District Court's Criminal Division 6 held its first trial on the 28th against Lee Ha-neul, who was indicted for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. (defamation). The trial had drawn attention after being postponed consecutively ahead of hearings in June and July.

On this day, the Prosecution Service stated that "the defendant defamed the victim through YouTube live broadcasts, among other acts, damaging their reputation," regarding the charges.

In response, Lee Ha-neul's lawyer announced that the defendant denies all allegations made by the Prosecution Service.

Lee Ha-neul, who attended the trial, reportedly stated that "the facts are clear and this was initiated to correct errors" and "I believed it should be discussed from a public interest perspective."

The court scheduled the next hearing for October 14 and announced that witness examinations would also take place.

Lee Ha-neul was brought to trial on charges of defaming Ju Bitrain by claiming he had a criminal record during a live broadcast on his YouTube channel on August 31, 2024, in front of approximately 200 viewers.

Ju Bitrain's side filed a complaint against Lee Ha-neul for defamation and other charges, stating that the content mentioned during the broadcast was false.

This trial concerned defamation through the dissemination of false facts repeatedly mentioned during Lee Ha-neul's self-conducted live broadcasts. According to Ju Bitrain's agency, Basecamp Studio, Lee Ha-neul received a summary prosecution (summary indictment) from the Goyang District Prosecutors' Office in February, just one month after a 2 million won fine for insult was finalized in January.

At that time, this disposition was based on findings that Lee Ha-neul had spread false claims since 2024 accusing singer Ju Bitrain and his agency Lee Mo (CEO) of being drug offenders, sex criminals, fraudsters, and embezzlers. The Prosecution Service requested a fine of 2 million won.

Despite the summary prosecution, Lee Ha-neul continued to mention these contents in live broadcasts, leading the agency to take legal action again, which resulted in his current trial.

Ju Bitrain's agency previously stated: "Lee Ha-neul has publicly accused fellow musician Ju Bitrain and his agency Lee Mo (CEO) of 'habitual drug use,' 'sexual assault,' 'fraud and embezzlement' for nearly two years, allegedly to cover up his own financial misconduct. However, after hearings by the Seoul Regional Employment Labor Office, Seoul Regional Labor Committee, and Central Labor Committee, all claims by Lee Mo (CEO) were recognized, and the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office also issued a final decision of no grounds for prosecution. Lee Ha-neul has continued to spread false facts to incite the public while concealing these facts. As a result, investigations into charges including violation of the Information and Communications Network Act (dissemination of false facts), defamation, insult, and false accusation have been progressively revealed since January."

The agency also stated: "Lee Ha-neul has additionally been investigated by Songpa Police Station on the same charges. Furthermore, circumstances suggest that executives of the agency Funky Town, including its representative and managing director, conspired with Lee Ha-neul to continue the offense, and it has been confirmed that they have been transferred to the Prosecution Service."

In addition, an agency official told StarNews: "There are at least five more cases related to Lee Ha-neul remaining."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.