Former Seongnam Mayor Eun Soo-mi and others, who were put on trial on charges of defaming a whistleblower who raised corruption allegations, have been ordered to pay tens of millions of won in damages to the whistleblower.
The Supreme Court's Second Division (presiding Justice Oh Kyung-mi) said on the 25th that it finalized a lower court ruling partially in favor of plaintiff A in a damages lawsuit filed against Seongnam City, former Mayor Eun, former public relations secretary B, and others on the 24th.
The total amount A will receive is 50 million won. Seongnam City and former Mayor Eun must jointly pay 25 million won, and Seongnam City and B must jointly pay 25 million won.
A worked as a secretary at Seongnam City Hall from September 2018 to March 2020. A filed public-interest reports alleging corruption related to former Mayor Eun, including "biased hiring from the Eun Soo-mi campaign" and "leak of police investigative materials."
Then public relations secretary B sent text messages to reporters stating, "During A's tenure, A hurled abusive and profane language at public officials," and "A's duties were civil complaints counseling and security, but A engaged in surveillance and recording." Related details were reported by the media.
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