2 weeks Ago By Korea Bizwire
In South Korea, the individuals often referred to as “cyber rippers” are locally known as cyber wreckers—content creators who earn revenue by producing sensationalized, edited videos that single out people involved in public controversies, frequently ridiculing or defaming them. (Image created by AI/ChatGPT) CHANGWON, April 24 (Korea Bizwire) — A South Korean court has sentenced a YouTuber to prison for publicly disclosing personal information about individuals he claimed were perpetrators in a decades-old sexual assault case—issuing a stern warning against so-called “cyber rippers” who exploit sensational content under the guise of justice. In South Korea, these “cyber rippers” are commonly known as cyber wreckers —content creators who generate revenue by posting edited videos that target individuals involved in controversies, often mocking or vilifying them online.
The term “wrecker” ( rekka in Korean) originally referred to private tow trucks notorious for recklessly rushing to accident scenes. The analogy reflects how these YouTubers similarly rush to exploit incidents for views, hence the label “cyber wrecker.” On April 24, 2025, the Changwon District Court sentenced a YouTuber in his 20s—known for running the channel Jiphaengin —to three years in prison and ordered him to pay 5.
66 million won (US$4,100) in restitution. He was convicted of defamation and violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization after repeatedly posting videos in 2024 that named individuals as assailants in the infamous 2004 Milyang gang rape case. The videos revealed names, photos, and workplace information of individuals he alleged were involved—claims that were later found to be largely unsubstantiated.
Some of the people named had never been criminally charged and were falsely accused. Several victims reportedly suffered serious consequences, including job loss, divorce, and long-term psychological trauma. The court determined that the YouTuber’s primary motive was not public interest but profit from ad revenue fueled by viral outrage.
“This was a textbook case of a cyber ripper—someone who exploits others’ dignity and fundamental rights for personal gain,” said Chief Judge Woo Sang-beom. “Private enforcement of justice, particularly when based on misinformation, cannot be justified under any circumstances.” The ruling comes amid mounting concern in South Korea over the rise of cyber rippers—content creators who manipulate crime stories and social controversies for commercial benefit.
Another YouTuber, known as JeontuTokki , is due to be sentenced next month for similar content related to the Milyang case. Investigations and trials involving other channels, such as Narak Archive , are also underway. In response to growing public alarm, lawmakers and media scholars are pushing for regulatory reforms.
A recent National Assembly forum proposed adopting oversight models inspired by Germany and the United States, where large-scale influencers are held to journalistic or administrative standards. Separately, Rep. Ko Dong-jin of the ruling People Power Party introduced a bill requiring digital platforms like YouTube to implement systems for removing or limiting defamatory and false content.
Legal experts argue that such regulatory changes must be coupled with robust enforcement and incentives for creators to self-police. “Many of these YouTubers use overseas accounts, making enforcement difficult,” noted attorney Park Ha-young. “But as seen in the Milyang case, when the legal system is effectively applied, even hard-to-trace influencers can be held accountable.
” As pressure mounts, the South Korean government faces increasing urgency to strike a balance between protecting digital free speech and shielding the public from online harm—a boundary that recent court rulings are now beginning to define with greater clarity. M. H.
Lee ([email protected]).
