[Exclusive] YouTuber 'PPKKa' Requests Video Trial: Is It Due to Concerns Over Personal Information Leak?

YouTuber 'PPKKa' (Park), who spread rumors about internet broadcaster Se Yeon (real name In Se-yeon, 24) has been confirmed to have requested a video trial instead of attending court in person.

According to the Seoul Central District Court, ahead of the first hearing of the lawsuit filed by Se Yeon claiming damages of approximately 30 million won, Mr. Park submitted a request for a video trial to the court on the 3rd.

A video trial request is typically a procedure that can be requested by the defendant when it is difficult to attend the court in person due to reasons such as living far away or health issues.

Previously, Mr. Park also submitted a request to restrict the external disclosure of case-related documents on the 15th of last month. This move is interpreted by some in the legal community as an attempt by Mr. Park to prevent his personal information from being disclosed.

Mr. Park has not yet appointed a legal representative.

Earlier, Se Yeon had appointed the law firm Liwu as legal representatives in September 2024, filed a lawsuit, and identified the operator of the YouTube channel 'PPKKa', Mr. Park, through the e-discovery process.

On March 18th, Mr. Park submitted a request to suspend the lawsuit proceedings to the court, but it was rejected. Under civil procedure law, a request to suspend proceedings must meet certain conditions such as death, bankruptcy, or illness.

As the lawsuit filed by Se Yeon intensified, Mr. Park ceased his YouTube activities. However, on the 4th, he stirred controversy by posting on his YouTube community tab, "It seems like the country's luck has run out. I can't believe the level of citizens who would elect a criminal worse than former President Moon Jae-in."

The YouTube channel 'PPKKa', established by Mr. Park in 2018, has about 1.1 million subscribers and a total of 82 million views. He has been active anonymously, wearing large sunglasses and a mask, and primarily producing content that disparages women, celebrities, and other YouTubers.

Mr. Park previously produced and distributed a video claiming that Se Yeon had engaged in sexual relations for monetary compensation and had gambled in Las Vegas, USA. In response, Se Yeon's side filed a lawsuit against Mr. Park for spreading false information.

Meanwhile, webtoon artist Joo Ho-min is also known to be taking separate legal action against Mr. Park.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)