"518 Contacts + Will" vs "Hwang Jung-min Stalker NO": Prosecution seeks 10 million won fine [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

• Stalking trial of actor Hwang Jung-min concludes; sentencing scheduled for next month on the 8th

A, who was indicted for stalking actor Hwang Jung-min, claimed during the closing trial that their relationship was mutual. However, the Prosecution Service emphasized the stalking allegations, noting that A continued to contact Hwang 518 times after being blocked and repeatedly sent messages implying death.

On the 11th, the Goyang District Court of the Uijeongbu District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Young-a) held a closing trial for A, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Stalking Punishment Act. On that day, the Prosecution Service requested a fine of 10 million won and an order to pay legal costs against A.

During the trial, the defense conducted an examination of the defendant. The defense team emphasized that communication between the two parties was not one-sided.

A claimed that Hwang Jung-min personally informed him in October 2023 about changing his phone number and that he never attempted to find out the new number separately.

Regarding Hwang's December message of that year, which conveyed a request not to contact him because "life is difficult," A stated that he interpreted it as a temporary suspension of communication rather than a permanent refusal.

A further claimed that after he sent well-being messages, Hwang initiated a phone call lasting over 40 minutes. Additionally, even after being told in February of the following year not to make contact, there were instances where Hwang reached out first or shared schedules.

Concerning conversations between the two, A said they frequently discussed schedules, daily life, family matters, personal concerns, and emotional issues, adding that the complainant sometimes initiated phone calls.

A also claimed to have communicated with Hwang through a private blog and KakaoTalk multi-profile.

He testified that he received a request from Hwang to write sexually explicit content, which he posted on the private blog, and that Hwang later contacted him first to share his impressions after reading it.

Regarding the reason for using multi-profile, A claimed that the complainant did not wish to receive notifications in the form of alerts and was encouraged to communicate via multi-profile instead.

On why he persistently contacted Hwang, A stated there was a need to verify details about the collapse of his soju business venture and whether his creative works had been leaked, adding that it was not intended to cause anxiety or fear in the other party.

A also explained the circumstances under which he contacted Hwang's son. He stated, "Until recently, I had inquired at (Hwang's) company, but all official channels were ignored and I received no response," adding that he chose the remaining channel related to a literary award.

He revealed that until July 31 of last year, one day before contacting Hwang's son, he had requested confirmation via email regarding the leakage of his novel creation works from both Hwang and his agency but received no response.

Regarding the content of the message sent to the son, A said, "There was an urgent matter that needed verification, which could not be confirmed through the company or official channels, and it was a serious issue related to the complainant requiring prompt confirmation." He added, "There have been no further contacts since then."

When A learned he had been sued by Hwang on stalking charges, he said he was "shocked" and expressed that his feelings were complicated because he believed their relationship was mutual but found himself being sued for stalking.

In contrast, the Prosecution Service pointed out that A repeatedly contacted Hwang even after Hwang clearly expressed his intention to refuse contact.

The Prosecution Service stated during questioning that "even after the complainant blocked the defendant's phone number in 2024, the defendant contacted both the complainant and the complainant's son 518 times," noting that contact continued even after the prohibition of approach and communication orders were issued.

The Prosecution Service presented evidence that Hwang sent KakaoTalk messages to A such as "Do not send text messages" and "Do not use KakaoTalk. Please, I beg you," questioning whether his intention to refuse contact was clear.

The Prosecution Service also raised concerns about A repeatedly sending messages to Hwang implying his own death. Specifically, they presented facts that between May 14 and 15, 2024, over two days, A sent hundreds of text messages containing such content and even transmitted a will file.

When the Prosecution Service asked whether these messages were intended to make the victim feel fear, A replied, "It was not to cause anxiety in the other party but rather to express my condition and out of hope that the victim would understand at least a little."

He also stated, "I have no intention whatsoever to contact or meet in the future."

In his closing argument, A's defense lawyer argued for acquittal on the stalking charges. The lawyer contended that communication between the two was not one-sided and that there were circumstances where the victim initiated contact or continued conversations.

A also reiterated in his final statement that while some of his actions may have been wrong, it was not a one-sided stalking situation.

A said, "I do not believe I did only good things. I think there were parts where I should not have acted as I did," but added, "However, the idea that I am a stalker who chased one person for two years is a completely different story."

He continued, "I hope you will consider who initiated contact first and what agreements existed between us. It is not just a matter of punishment; I cannot endure the notion that everything was done unilaterally by one person." Finally, he requested the court to judge based on exactly what the records state.

Meanwhile, the sentencing hearing for A will be held next month at 10 a.m. on the 8th.

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*This content was translated by AI.