Actress Han Ji Min's Case Moves Forward as Woman Indicted Over Online Abuse

A woman in her 30s has been formally indicted after prosecutors say she targeted South Korean actress Han Ji Min with repeated hostile social media posts and threatening messages.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Criminal Division 5, under prosecutor Kim Ji Young, filed charges without detention on October 20 against the suspect, identified only by the surname Lee. Prosecutors accuse her of intimidation and defamation for the online conduct.

Authorities determined that between September and October of last year Lee posted 19 harmful messages on her social accounts. Several entries contained explicit threats, including statements like “I will sabotage Han Ji Min’s movie” and “Shut your mouth.”

Investigators also say Lee tagged Han Ji Min and a number of people close to the actress in her posts, escalating the harassment and drawing others into the attacks.

The harassment appears to have begun after media reports in August last year revealed Han Ji Min’s relationship with Cho Jung Hoon, the vocalist of indie band Jannabi.

BH Entertainment, which represents Han Ji Min, lodged a formal police complaint in November; the actress personally took part as a complainant. The Gangnam Police Station led the initial investigation.

Following the probe, police recommended an indictment and transferred the matter to prosecutors in March. After a subsequent seven-month review, the prosecution has now sent Lee to face trial.

No date has yet been set for the first court hearing.

The case highlights the ongoing problem of online harassment and defamation faced by public figures in South Korea.

As social platforms can magnify abusive campaigns, entertainment agencies have increasingly pursued legal remedies to shield their talent.

Han Ji Min, noted for roles in films and series such as “Miss Baek” and “Our Blues,” has not made a public comment on the indictment.