Counter-argument to a counter-argument.. The core of the controversy between Hwang Jung-min and suspect A, accused of stalking [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

The controversy is escalating. Amidst back-and-forth rebuttals and sensational claims surrounding Hwang Jung-min and "suspect A," a long-time fan, the situation grows more intense.

Recently, posts questioning Hwang Jung-min's private life appeared on the SNS of a woman identified as A. As messages implying inappropriate personal conduct, including alleged infidelity, were posted in succession, Hwang Jung-min's agency issued an official statement on the 29th: "The author of the malicious posts regarding Hwang Jung-min is a suspect in a stalking crime who has continuously harassed Mr. Hwang." The agency further stated, "Mr. Hwang has filed criminal charges against this individual. The court has imposed temporary restraining orders, including prohibitions on contact, three times against the suspect. Additionally, the suspect was found guilty of stalking and issued a summary order to pay a fine of 3 million won." It is understood that suspect A has requested a formal trial and is awaiting proceedings.

However, A's allegations and claims continue. A asserts that Hwang Jung-min's side had no choice but to label them as a stalking criminal. In their statement, A explained, "I maintained an intimate relationship with Hwang Jung-min for several months, exchanging calls or messages multiple times a day." A added, "Hwang Jung-min proposed a soju brand business project utilizing his novel Lee Reum-gwa (CEO), and I performed market research, concept planning, and trademark investigation as a design practitioner." A further stated, "Hwang Jung-min also encouraged me to write novels. I wrote approximately 30 pieces of writing, including novels and essays, among which were sexually explicit texts written at Hwang's request." A concluded, "This incident constitutes emotional and sexual exploitation, as well as labor exploitation, occurring under a significant power asymmetry. Regardless of Hwang Jung-min's intentions, I have had to continuously endure emotional deprivation, sexual shame, and exhaustion from unpaid labor."

A claims "sexual exploitation" despite asserting there was no direct sexual intercourse, physical contact, or even hand-holding. While A labels the sexually explicit novel written by the woman as evidence of exploitation, Hwang Jung-min's side viewed it as proof of stalking.

In this context, Hwang Jung-min released evidence of stalking arising from his relationship with suspect A through Dispatch. The release included details of three meetings, incidents that occurred during those meetings, and exchanged messages. According to the disclosed content, A sent messages threatening extreme measures and contacted Hwang Jung-min's then-minor son.

Furthermore, A sent Hwang Jung-min photos of a deceased Goyang cat and tissues stained with blood. Hwang's side submitted these images of the dead Goyang cat along with A's last will as evidence of stalking crimes, and the court ruled it as "stalking crime." A also pressured Hwang Jung-min's family. After photos of Hwang with his wife were made public, A mocked them and contacted his son. Additionally, A secretly attended a school performance by Hwang's son and later sent a message to Hwang: "The ticket I used for your son's 'All Suck Up' performance." This constitutes secret stalking even of Hwang Jung-min's minor son.

Suspect A is refuting Hwang Jung-min's side's claims via their personal account. Regarding reports stating there was no physical contact, A argued, "If unilateral molestation counts as physical contact, I was present at the airport immediately. Strictly speaking, even during our first meeting, physical contact continued throughout the market alley from when we left the bar to getting into a taxi." When asked what kind of physical contact occurred and how Hwang Jung-min committed unilateral molestation while meeting with A's manager at an airport restaurant, no explanation was provided. Instead, A maintained, "There was unilateral molestation. Physical contact continued throughout the alley leading to the taxi."

Regarding the controversial photo of the deceased Goyang cat, A stated, "This is not merely a photo of a dead Goyang cat; it is an image from the day my Goyang cat, who I lived with for 16 years, suffered greatly due to illness and I had to choose euthanasia." A added, "I sent a total of three photos: one taken just before Goyang left, another showing the situation while waiting right before euthanasia, and a third showing traces of wiping blood from its nose after it passed away." A also released chat logs with attached photos and audio recordings of conversations with Hwang Jung-min. A stated, "As shown in the recording file, during our phone call on January 2, 2025, when I informed Hwang Jung-min that Goyang was in its final moments and expressed distress, Hwang made insulting remarks such as 'Just smear it with doenjang quickly, early, just like that.'"

Dispatch reported on the controversy surrounding the photo of the deceased Goyang cat, stating that suspect A sent the image of Goyang's body, which died from euthanasia, four months later as a tool for blackmailing extreme measures. At that time, A told Hwang Jung-min, "Remain a murderer for your whole life," and threatened suicide. A also sent tickets to the son's performance. It is understood that after sending the photo of the deceased Goyang cat, A sent a message saying, "I can only think about them."

Hwang Jung-min's side and Dispatch have classified A as a stalking victim, while A has requested a formal trial regarding the summary order for the fine. Although A received a 3 million won fine via summary order due to stalking charges, they are currently awaiting a formal trial. The court will ultimately determine all matters.

In cases where a formal trial proceeds, if there is clear evidence that the act was not stalking and if there is a settlement agreement or a letter of non-prosecution from the victim, sentencing may be reduced. However, it is more common for defendants to request a formal trial in hopes of being found not guilty or having fines reduced, only to face worse outcomes. Especially when individuals expose others without consent on online platforms and mass media, or engage in stalking against family members, these acts are considered secondary victimization and may become aggravating factors leading to additional crimes or heavier sentencing.

If there are inappropriate elements in the private life of actor Hwang Jung-min, public sentiment will shift. Nevertheless, it remains unchanged that stalking is unequivocally a crime.

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*This content was translated by AI.