Jo Deok Jae Ordered To Pay Compensation To Actress Ban Min Jung Following Sexual Assault Case

Actor Jo Deok Jae has been ordered to pay a fine in compensation for his “vindictive lawsuit” against actress Ban Min Jung.

On May 15, Judge Lee Young Kwang of the Seoul Southern District Court ruled in favor of Ban Min Jung in a damage suit she filed against Jo Deok Jae. The judge stated, “It is clear that the plaintiff committed illegal acts such as sexually assaulting the defendant while filming a movie and making false accusations, and that due to his actions, the defendant suffered physical and mental pain.” The court ordered Jo Deok Jae to pay 30 million won (approximately $25,242) in compensation to Ban Min Jung. In addition, Jo Deok Jae’s claim for 50 million won (approximately $42,000) in damages against Ban Min Jung was rejected.

Previously in April 2015, Ban Ming Jung reported to the police that she had been sexually assaulted by Jo Deok Jae while filming a movie. Jo Deok Jae accused the actress of making a false police report and sued her for defamation and false accusation. He also filed a damage suit for 50 million won. In response, Ban Min Jung filed a countersuit against Jo Deok Jae.

In October 2017, Jo Deok Jae was found guilty of sexually assaulting Ban Ming Jung and was sentenced to a year of imprisonment with a two-year probation and 40 hours of a treatment program for sexual offenders. On September 2018, the Supreme Court dismissed Jo Deok Jae’s appeal and confirmed his original verdict.

After the ruling on May 15, Ban Min Jung told Seoul Shinmun, “After the Supreme Court ruling, it was still tough, but I’m trying to pick myself up again. I’m working hard in order to make an example where a victim of sexual violence does not hide. Jo Deok Jae continues to tell lies about this incident and makes additional offenses, and the investigative authorities continue to conduct lukewarm investigations into it. It’s hard to tell other victims to walk the same path as I did in a situation where they have to struggle alone and on the sidelines after being neglected. I hope that we can have a society victims can live in.”

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