An Internet news outlet has been ordered to pay millions of won in compensation for calling a comedian-turned-TV hostess a "leftist" loyal to former President Roh Moo-hyun against her will, a Seoul court said Friday.
In a compulsory arbitration decision on a libel suit filed by Kim Mi-hwa, the Seoul High Court ordered Seoul-based rightist Internet media Dongnip Shinmun not to use the "pro-Roh leftist"
title to describe the popular TV and radio hostess in its news stories.
The Seoul High Court also ordered Shin Hye-sik, the president of Dongnip Shinmun, and one of his reporters to pay 8 million won
(US$7,200) in compensation to the 47-year-old Kim for having so far used the unwanted title in the publication's previous stories.
"Dongnip Shinmun has to abstain from using the 'pro-Roh leftist' expression for Kim and each future violation will incur a compensation of 5 million won," the court said.
In the damages suit, Kim demanded the news site delete all stories published in 2009-2010 that labeled her as leftist and politically friendly to late President Roh, whose liberal political views during his 2003-2008 term had often been the fodder for conservatives' criticism.
Kim demanded 30 million won in compensation for the company's stories which, she said, helped spawn her image as anti-America.
"It's a welcome decision that I have long awaited," Kim said after following the decision. "I hope this decision will help stop the spreading of unfounded, biased stories against people."
The Internet news media was also ordered in February last year to compensate the comedian in a similar defamation suit.
The comedian with nearly 20 years in the broadcasting industry has often come under fire for her political activism and liberal views heard in her radio program on current political issues. (Yonhap News)
