Ken Rhee, 41, a former South Korean Navy UDT/SEAL captain turned YouTuber, has won a defamation lawsuit against a former workplace colleague―also a YouTuber―identified only by his surname, Kim, over videos that disparaged him.
According to a judgment obtained by SBS Entertainment News, the Incheon District Court on November 5 ordered Kim to pay Rhee 50 million won plus 12% annual interest for delays. The court issued a default judgment after Kim failed to appear, and also ordered him to cover all litigation costs. The ruling is from the first instance, and Kim may still appeal.
The civil case stemmed from Rhee’s claim that Kim produced and circulated YouTube videos laced with profanity, mockery, and false claims about him, damaging his reputation.
Criminal proceedings have moved in parallel. The Namyangju Branch of the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors’ Office said Kim was summarily indicted eight times on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act and insult, resulting in fines totaling 24 million won. Each case carried penalties ranging from 1 million to 5 million won, imposed between 2024 and 2025.
“It took more than two years, but these cyber ‘wreckers’ are being held accountable one by one,” Rhee told SBS Entertainment News. “The fight was worth it. I won’t let any of them off the hook―I intend to see every last one held responsible.”
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)