[Exclusive]Hwang Jung-min files another stalking lawsuit against '40s woman who exposed personal information'… "Personal data leaked during trial"

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Hwang Jung-min has filed an additional criminal complaint against a woman in her 40s, identified as Ms. A, who was found guilty of stalking him at the first-instance trial. This decision stems from the determination that Ms. A's act of posting Hwang Jung-min's personal information and other details on social media during the trial constitutes further stalking behavior.

According to a StarNews investigation on the 29th, Hwang Jung-min recently filed an additional complaint with the police against Ms. A for violating the Stalking Punishment Act. This complaint relates to Ms. A's act of posting personal information regarding Hwang Jung-min's side on social media while the trial for the existing stalking case was ongoing. It is reported that formal investigation procedures have begun following the recent assignment of a responsible investigator.

Hwang Jung-min's side reportedly took additional legal action considering not only the actor's own safety but also the safety of his family.

The court accepted Hwang Jung-min's application and issued an interim measure against Ms. A. While it is not possible to directly restrict the act of public disclosure via social media itself, this is interpreted as a protective measure prepared for physical access or threats to the personal safety of Hwang Jung-min and his family, given that additional online disclosures had continued previously.

The Act on Punishment of Stalking Crimes defines "stalking behavior" as acts that cause anxiety or fear in the other party without justifiable reason against their will. In particular, the law amended on July 11, 2023, added so-called "online stalking" types. Acts such as providing, distributing, or posting the personal information or location data of the other party to a third party using an information and communication network also constitute stalking behavior.

Furthermore, the court may issue interim measures, including written warnings regarding the cessation of stalking crimes against the victim, prohibition of approach within 100 meters of the victim or their family, and prohibition of approach via telecommunications, if it deems such measures necessary for the smooth investigation, hearing, or protection of the victim in stalking crime cases.

Previously, Hwang Jung-min filed a criminal complaint against Ms. A in August last year for violations of the Stalking Punishment Act and other charges.

At that time, the court imposed interim measures such as prohibition of approach on Ms. A three times. In February, the court recognized Ms. A's stalking allegations and issued a summary order for a fine of 3 million won. However, Ms. A objected to this and requested a formal trial, leading to continued proceedings.

The Prosecution Service requested the court at the final hearing held in August last month to impose a fine of 10 million won on Ms. A and order her to complete a stalking treatment program. The Prosecution Service cited reasons for the sentencing request including the long duration of the criminal acts, the excessively high number of one-sided contacts, and the fact that she posted threatening content directed at the victim's family on social media even during the trial.

Ms. A's side emphasized that communication between the two was not one-sided and claimed innocence regarding the stalking charges. In her final statement, Ms. A acknowledged that there were faults in her actions but appealed, stating, "Being a stalker who chased one person unilaterally for two years is an entirely different story."

The Criminal Division 4 of the Goyang Branch Court of the Uijeongbu District Court, which heard the case, ordered Ms. A on the 8th to pay a fine of 6 million won and complete a 40-hour stalking treatment program. The court determined that Ms. A engaged in stalking behavior by continuously sending messages despite knowing Hwang Jung-min's intention to refuse contact. Ms. A appealed against the first-instance judgment, and as the Prosecution Service also submitted an appeal brief, the case has moved to the second instance.

At the time, Hwang Jung-min's agency, Sam Company, stated, "Separate from the first-instance verdict, we are planning all legal measures regarding the continued spread of false facts during the trial and the maliciously edited release and distribution of recordings," adding, "We will hold legally accountable without any leniency for the defendant's additional actions." Hwang Jung-min's side has decided to proceed with civil and criminal measures in stages, starting with this additional complaint.

Meanwhile, Ms. A has been claiming a private relationship with Hwang Jung-min via social media since last July, disclosing messages and recordings that she claims were exchanged between the two. Hwang Jung-min's side has categorically denied Ms. A's claims, stating they are contrary to the facts.

Separately from this, Ms. A filed a claim for damages in the range of 200 million won against Hwang Jung-min in February last month. Ms. A claims that she was proposed a business related to a soju brand by Hwang Jung-min and participated in practical work and creative tasks but did not receive fair compensation. The court issued a compulsory mediation decision ex officio, but since both sides stated they had no intention of reaching an agreement, the case proceeded to a main lawsuit.

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*This content was translated by AI.