YouTuber Tzuyang to testify in accused blackmailer's trial

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YouTuber Tzuyang to testify in accused blackmailer's trial

Published: 18 Oct. 2024, 18:12 Updated: 18 Oct. 2024, 18:21

YouTuber Tzuyang displays a bruise on her right arm. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

YouTuber Tzuyang, whose legal name is Park Jung-won, is set to testify during the upcoming trial of Lee Jun-hee, also known by his YouTube user name GooJeYeok, who is accused of intimidation, coercion and extortion.

The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office announced on Friday that Tzuyang will take the stand on Nov. 15 in the second trial involving Lee and three other YouTubers — Jeon Guk-jin; Caracula, or Lee Se-wook; and Crocodile, or Choi Il-hwan — as well as a lawyer surnamed Choi.

Lee Jun-hee, known by his YouTube channel name GooJeYeok, appears before the prosecutors' office as he heads to the Suwon District Court in Gyeonggi to attend an arrest warrant hearing on July 26. [NEWS1]

Lee Jun-hee and Jeon are accused of having extorted 55 million won from Tzuyang in February 2023 by threatening to expose her “tax evasion” as well as “private issues” involving her ex-boyfriend, who the YouTuber claimed had “tortured” her for four years on a livestream in July. The two also allegedly forced Tzuyang to promote a friend's restaurant and threatened to release a video that would dent her reputation.

The 39-year-old attorney Choi faces multiple charges including coercion, blackmail, extortion and breach of professional confidentiality. Choi is accused of obtaining personal information about Tzuyang and her ex-boyfriend while defending a company in a lawsuit in October 2021 and subsequently sharing the information with Lee Jun-hee. Caracula and Choi Il-hwan also allegedly encouraged Lee Jun-hee's actions.

YouTuber Caracula, whosse legal name is Lee Se-wook [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Lee Jun-hee's attorneys have denied all allegations, claiming that their client made no threats and took no intimidating actions toward Park and her agency. Attorney Choi's side also rebutted the charges, stating that he did not conspire with Lee Jun-hee to commit the crimes.

Jeon admitted to the charges during the first trial, having previously been unable to review the evidence. Lee Se-wook and Choi Il-hwan denied having aided an extortion of Tzuyang.

YouTuber Tzuyang in the latest video posted on her YouTube channel on Oct. 12. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Tzuyang resumed her livestreams on Oct. 4. The YouTuber expressed determination to resolve the legal issues and celebrated reaching 10 million subscribers by donating 200 million won ($146,000).

BY CHAE HYESEON [yoon.seungjin@joongang.co.kr]