">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
South Korea's "prophet of doom" blogger acquitted
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Search
Search:
South Korea's "prophet of doom" blogger acquitted
Reuters - Tuesday, April 21
By Jack Kim
ADVERTISEMENT
SEOUL - A South Korean court acquitted a blogger on Monday of spreading false information, in a case that triggered debate about freedom of speech in cyberspace and critics said was only launched because his economic doom postings angered authorities.
Defendant Park Dae-sung, who went by the pseudonym "Minerva" after the Greek goddess of wisdom became a household name last year for his predictions of sharp falls in the won and the local stock market and the collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers.
"He's been found not guilty," a court official said by telephone. The court threw out charges that he purposely harmed market sentiment by posting false information on his blog.
Prosecutors said a posting Park made in December led to volatility in the local currency and caused financial authorities to inject billions of dollars to stabilize the Korean won.
"Even if there was recognition that it was false information, he cannot be seen as having acted on purpose to harm public interest considering the situation at the time including the special nature of the foreign exchange market," the court said.
As the markets tumbled last year, the main financial regulator warned it would crack down on what it considered malicious rumors. Some economic analysts said they had come under pressure from authorities not to voice negative views on the economy.
ONLINE VIEWS
South Korean markets appeared to have passed their worst turmoil in a decade at the time of Park's arrest in January but suffered another setback in March on lingering concerns about the country's ability to secure dollars to repay debt.
Since the arrest, legal experts have questioned whether authorities had legal grounds to prosecute individuals on views aired in online media. The conservative party of President Lee Myung-bak has been pushing for a tough law on cyber slander.
The Lee government has also been backing media reforms that would lift restrictions on big business from owning broadcast networks, which have led to protests at TV networks whose union members feel the move would lead to cuts in press freedom.
Park's lawyer said the case arose from a misguided attempt by the government to control public opinion in cyber space.
"The law itself is unconstitutional, and it is a dead law where the computer cannot be the subject of regulation," lawyer Park Chang-jong, who is not related to the defendant, told reporters after the verdict.
Blogger Park has been identified by prosecutors as an unemployed 30-year-old man who kept to his modest apartment in Seoul and learned of the financial markets with books he ordered online.
Since his detention, reports have flooded local media saying he was a quiet man with a humble education background, which experts said may be an attempt to discredit him in a society that places high value on elite education and prestigious jobs.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
0 users recommend
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Technology
US-TECH SummaryReuters - 58 minutes ago
Future cellphone to take on music editingReuters - Tuesday, April 21
World Wide Web conference opens in MadridAFP - Tuesday, April 21
Oracle buys Sun Microsystems for $5.6 blnAFP - Tuesday, April 21
Zenergy to develop 'Smart Grid' device for Con EdisonReuters - Tuesday, April 21
Enlarge Photo
Park Dae-sung answers reporters' questions after walking out of the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, south of Seoul, April 20, 2009. A South Korean court acquitted the blogger on Monday of spreading false information, in a case that triggered debate about freedom of speech in cyberspace and crtics said was only launched because his economic doom postings angered authorities.
Most Popular – Technology
Viewed
Police nab Norwegian pair during high-speed sex
'Beginner's luck' may lay trail to Cleopatra tomb
'Dracula bandit' gets 20-yr jail sentence
Mummies found in ancient Egypt burial chamber
Hopes dim for US-Cuba thaw
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Monday, 20 April 2009 Karzai objects to direct U.S. talks with Taliban
| International
|
Nigeria militants free British hostage
| International
|
World lags on poverty goals: G8
| International
|
Hardliners set to win Turkish Cypriot election
| International
|
French gang law seen failing to curb youth unrest
| International
|
Heartthrob Zac Efron tops U.S. box office
| Entertainment
|
Gay group GLAAD honors best in media
| Entertainment
|
IAEA chief calls on Iran to reciprocate U.S. moves
Iraqi military investigates gangland-style heists
Olmert needs 'immediate' treatment for cancer
UBS sells Brazilian subsidiary for 2.5 bln dollars
Iraq's doctors trickle home as attacks decline
IAEA urges dialogue for North Korea, Iran
| International
|
Tattoos from Auschwitz horror reunite lost inmates
Hopes dim for US-Cuba thaw
Gunman holds hostages on plane in Jamaica: report
| International
|
Obama to target govt spending
Afghanistan to boost police by 15,000: minister
Somali pirates release ship, ransom paid
| International
|
'Beginner's luck' may lay trail to Cleopatra tomb
Iran president to address U.N. racism summit
| International
|
Chavez book pick rockets up bestseller lists
Sri Lanka suicide bomb kills 17 as thousands flee
| International
|
More than words needed from Cuba, Venezuela: Obama
Iran tells U.S. to respect rulings of Iranian courts
| International
|
Western boycott threatens UN anti-racism meeting
Obama to target wayward finance sector
Pakistan attacks militants after bomb; 20 dead
| International
|
Indigenous groups hold climate summit in Alaska
Blast in Philippine south wounds 4, damages bridge
| International
|
CIA waterboarded 9/11 mastermind 183 times
Iran's Ahmadinejad urges 'justice' for US reporter
Al-Qaeda says Obama 'did not change anything'
Sept. 11 planner waterboarded 183 times
Chavez foes tell US Venezuelan democracy at risk
U.S. troops train to advise Afghan forces
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,274
Briton freed by Nigeria militants
Italy to accept migrants, after spat with Malta
French-Spanish op thwarted new ETA attack: Madrid
Dutch, Belgian aid workers kidnapped in Somalia
KRouge chief killed and tortured inmates: witness
Iran grabs spotlight at UN anti-racism meeting
35,000 flee Sri Lanka fighting, many rescued
Institute develops cheap cholera vaccine
Deadly refugee boat blast a tragic gamble: report
Australia wildfire inquiry: warning systems failed
China sovereign wealth fund may invest in Europe
Bitter feuding mars Jane's Addiction reunion
| Entertainment
|
Malaysia Hindu fights spouse over kids' conversion
SKorea clears chipmakers of cartel charges
Australia: 3 boat people drowned after blast
China Telecom 1Q profit down 27.4 percent
Japan ex-minister urges nuclear weapon debate
Miss North Carolina USA crowned Miss USA 2009
Seoul shares rise after volatile trade; banks up
Yusuf Islam's past, present in harmony on new album
| Entertainment
|
Doctor charged in patient deaths to stand trial
Actor's union board endorses deal with studios
Korea Hot Stocks
Taiwan dollar slips on econ worries, corporate outlook
SKorea's SK opens online China shopping mall
S.Korean bonds edge up ahead of auctions
Seoul shares firm as techs rise; caution weighs
Post-Olympics, director Zhang Yimou plans new film
NZ services sector picks up in March, still weak
Cannes sobers up for low-frills festival
'Slumdog' star's father denies trying to sell her
Crowds fill seemingly recession-proof Coachella
Gritty drama shines at Hong Kong Film Awards
Iraqi women learn to read in new schools
Miss North Carolina USA crowned Miss USA 2009
Actor's union board endorses deal with studios
Tito still charms three decades after death
Photographer: Madonna wrong about NY horse fall
Netanyahu says hasn't set precondition for talks
Gunman surrenders, ending Jamaica airport standoff
| International
|
Somali pirates release aid ship: WFP
Russia may cancel military talks with NATO: Ifax
| International
|
Netanyahu says hasn't set precondition for talks
| International
|
World Wide Web conference opens in Madrid
EU launches anti-trust probe of airlines
Tajikistan, U.S. Afghan transit deal expected soon
| International
|
PepsiCo beats profits forecast
Malawi to hear appeal on Madonna's failed adoption
Parents of American jailed in Iran visit daughter
South Korea's prophet of doom blogger acquitted
| Technology
|
Oracle to buy Sun Micro, enters hardware market
| Technology
|
Eyeing diners, restaurants take to Twitter
| Technology
|
Hostage drama ends in hijacker arrest: official
Future cellphone to take on music editing
| Technology
|
Russia to send more warplanes to Kyrgyzstan
Jamaican police arrest hijacker
US-TECH Summary
Future cellphone to take on music editing
Zenergy to develop 'Smart Grid' device for Con Edison
| Technology
|
World Wide Web conference opens in Madrid
US marks Columbine, 10 years on
Oracle buys Sun Microsystems for $5.6 bln
Zenergy to develop 'Smart Grid' device for Con Edison
South Korea's "prophet of doom" blogger acquitted
Madonna to try again to adopt Malawian girl
| Entertainment
|
India police probe Slumdog child star report
| Entertainment
|
Euphoria, unease at UK web singing sensation Boyle
| Entertainment
|
China to build 5 nuclear power plants this year
Thai anti-government leader promises more protests
Sri Lanka military helps 35,000 civilians flee
Fund faces $4B shortfall; AIDS deaths could rise
Madonna suffers minor injuries in fall from horse
| Entertainment
|
Nepal demands army explanation for ignored orders
Thai PM rules out talks with exiled Thaksin
UN: NKorea could restart nuke facilities in months
More planes for Russian base in Kyrgyzstan
China launches new English-language newspaper
Pakistan cuts rates by 100 bps as inflation falls
Pakistan attacks militants after bomb
India's Tech Mahindra, Satyam discuss takeover
China's BYD eyes alternative energy vehicles
Japan's KDDI to release solar-powered cell phone
Prince Charles book laments 'lost ties with nature'
Tech Mahindra deposits $582M for Satyam stake
Madonna to try again to adopt Malawian girl
Pakistan targets 70 bln rupees in T-bill auction
India police probe "Slumdog" child star report
China Mobile quarterly profit up 5.2 percent
'Idol' documentary to air on Gospel Music Channel
Shanghai showdown for Chinese, global automakers
Beyonce talks tour, movie, Etta James and Twitter
'Public Enemies' author rushes to Dillinger's side
China shares gain, premier says stimulus working
Jackie Chan's comments spark protest in Taiwan
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights