The court has also issued an order prohibiting the screening, with penalties of 20 million KRW imposed for each violation.

In relation to the sexual assault case involving the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, the court has ruled in favor of partial damages in a lawsuit against the documentary filmmaker who defamed the victim.

The screening of the film itself has also been prohibited, and a fine of 20 million KRW will be imposed for each violation of this order.

According to the Korean Sexual Violence Counseling Center on the 14th, the 15th Civil Division of the Southern District Court of Seoul (Presiding Judge Yoon Chan-young) ruled on the 3rd of this month in a lawsuit for damages against Director Kim Dae-hyun of the film "First Defense" and the civic group “People Who Believe in Park Won-soon,” in favor of the plaintiffs.

The court ordered the defendants to pay 10 million KRW in damages and prohibited any public display of the film, including its screening, streaming, downloading, or distribution to third parties.

The court stated, "The film contains accusations that the plaintiff (the victim) unjustly caused the death of the deceased, which seriously damages the plaintiff's social reputation and significantly infringes upon their personality rights."

It continued, "It is difficult to view the film as having been produced for public interest, and there was no reasonable basis for the defendants to believe that the claims made in the film were true."

The Korean Sexual Violence Counseling Center has actively responded to this lawsuit by submitting petitions and has stated, "This ruling serves as a clear legal warning against secondary victimization."

"First Defense" is entangled in controversy over secondary victimization against the victim… The court's judgment deemed it "illegal."

The controversial documentary "First Defense" was produced based on the book "Birth of a Tragedy," published in 2021. The book includes interviews with around 50 people, including known associates of the late mayor from the "Seoul City Hall 6th Floor Team," and was made into a film with the support of Park's supporters.

The film poster included a photo of the late mayor along with the phrase, "The person who defended the world, but he has left us, and now those who remain are trying to defend him." However, criticism continued from some quarters that this content constituted secondary victimization against the victim.

"The Human Rights Commission's judgment was just"… The Supreme Court ultimately dismisses the lawsuit from Park's side.

Park Won-soon made a drastic choice on July 9, 2020, after being accused of sexual assault by his former secretary. Following this, the National Human Rights Commission, after a six-month investigation, concluded in January 2021 that "there was sexual harassment by Park against the victim."

In response, Park's spouse, Kang Nan-hee, filed an administrative lawsuit to cancel the Human Rights Commission's decision, but the Supreme Court ultimately dismissed it in June, confirming the legitimacy of the Human Rights Commission's decision after the first and second trials.

This civil lawsuit ruling is noteworthy as it represents a judicial decision protecting the dignity and rights of the victim, in addition to the criminal proceedings.

Image sources: The late former Mayor Park Won-soon / News1, "First Defense" poster / People Who Believe in Park Won-soon, News1