Distributor who targeted Jang Won-young finally headed to prison … Starship secures actual prison sentence

An internet user who circulated maliciously fabricated videos targeting 'Jang Won-young', a member of girl group IVE, has finally faced the full force of the law.

Starship Entertainment announced concrete results from its legal campaign through its official social media channels on the 9th. The agency said, "Among the cases we have pursued through 'Kim & Chang', a defendant indicted on charges including 'distributing fabricated videos' targeting 'Jang Won-young' was recently sentenced by a court to 'an actual prison term'." The ruling is being viewed as a powerful precedent that sends a warning to producers of malicious rumors who hide behind online anonymity.

No escape from pursuit: 'Cyber wreckers' hiding behind anonymity face judgment

Starship maintained a tough, uncompromising stance throughout the investigation and trial. The agency reiterated its firm position, saying, "We will continue to pursue legal accountability to the end, in accordance with our 'zero-tolerance policy', against serious violations of the rights and interests of our artists."

In fact, 'Starship Entertainment' operates a continuous monitoring system for 'spreading false information', 'defamation', 'insults', 'sexual harassment' and malicious attacks carried out across social media and online communities. In particular, the agency escalated the pressure on so-called 'cyber wreckers' and malicious commenters who have targeted 'Jang Won-young' and churned out sensational fake news, filing 'additional lawsuits' against them on the same day.

The agency warned, "We will continue taking civil and criminal action not only against the 'original creators' of malicious content, but also against accounts and channels that repeatedly distribute it," adding, "Even in cases involving the misuse of overseas platforms or 'anonymous accounts', we will pursue all necessary 'legal procedures' both in South Korea and abroad, without exception." The statement underscores the agency's determination to track down those who commit crimes from behind the shield of platform jurisdiction or anonymity.