Starship Entertainment has issued an official statement following the Supreme Court’s final ruling against the operator of the YouTube channel “Sojang,” reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights and interests of its artists through legal means.
On January 29, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court’s decision, sentencing the channel’s operator, identified as Park, to two years in prison with a three-year suspension. The ruling also included 120 hours of community service and the forfeiture of approximately 210 million won. The charges stemmed from violations of the Information and Communications Network Act, including defamation and insult.
According to the court, Park posted 23 videos between October 2021 and June 2023 that maliciously targeted several public figures, including IVE’s Jang Won Young. The judgment clarified that even content framed as speculation or allegations may still constitute the spread of false information if the overall context leads viewers to perceive it as factual. The court further emphasized that celebrities are entitled to full protection of their reputation and personal rights.
In its statement, Starship noted that it had pursued both civil and criminal action in response to the harmful content and welcomed the Supreme Court’s confirmation of the lower court’s ruling. The company stressed that safeguarding its artists’ rights remains its highest priority and stated it will continue to respond firmly to the dissemination of false information, malicious slander, defamation, and violations of personal rights.
Starship also highlighted its intent to take comprehensive legal measures against so-called “cyber wrecker” activities that exploit anonymity to spread misinformation or encourage cyberbullying through online videos and short-form content. Ongoing monitoring and legal action will remain in place to prevent similar incidents.
The statement concluded with an expression of gratitude to those who supported the protection of the artists’ rights throughout the process, including fans who provided information and encouragement, and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to fostering a healthier online environment.
