IU's Agency Sues 96 Netizens For Defamation; Up To S$26K In Fines & One Jail Sentence Meted Out To Guilty Offenders

Last year, South Korean singer IU's management agency, EDAM Entertainment, reportedly filed lawsuits against 96 netizens.

In a recent update, the company emphasised that over the past year, it has filed criminal complaints and civil lawsuits against numerous individuals who spread defamation, insults, false information, and sexually harassing content about the 32-year-old star.

The defendants were posted across multiple platforms, including Naver, Nate Pann, Daum, theqoo, DC Inside, Threads, Instagram, Instiz, Ilbe, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).

The company also noted that some defendants continued posting malicious content even after initial warnings, leading to additional lawsuits and formal trial proceedings instead of summary orders.

To date, the courts have issued the following rulings and dispositions: seven cases resulting in fines, one case resulting in a fine and a mandatory completion of a sexual violence treatment programme, three cases of suspended indictment with mandatory education conditions, one case resulting in 10 months in prison and a suspended sentence of two years with probation.

In specific cases, a netizen who spread false “spy” rumours about IU was fined 5 million won (S$4.4K) while a user on X, who made false plagiarism accusations and filed a copyright violation report against IU, was made to pay 30 million won (S$26.6K) in compensation for damages due to emotional distress.

A user, who repeatedly posted sexually harassing content, spread false rumours on Naver alleging IU committed serious crimes and shared inappropriate remarks about her nationality and identity, was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

The sentence, however, was suspended for two years and the individual is required to undergo probation supervision

In addition, the agency stated it will continue to take strong legal action without leniency.