Actor Kim Bu-sun. [Yonhap]
Actor Kim Bu-sun. [Yonhap]

Actor Kim Bu-sun has announced she will pursue legal action against those who have subjected her to online harassment, saying she will no longer tolerate the abuse.

Kim said Tuesday on the community board of her YouTube channel "Kim Bu-sun TV" that she had endured a sustained stream of sexual harassment, personal insults, defamation based on false information, and abusive comments through live-stream chats and video comment sections. "I have put up with indiscriminate attacks because I am a public figure and because my political views and leanings differ from others," she said, "but this is clearly criminal conduct and a form of violence that destroys a person's life."

She added, "I will no longer stand by and will pursue legal action without leniency."

Kim noted that a person who had posted malicious comments had recently been indicted by prosecutors, and urged others to take heed. "Please bear in mind that every single line typed in a live chat or every comment posted behind the anonymity of the internet will, without exception, be tracked by investigators and result in legal punishment," she said.

She went on to say she would continue to monitor and collect evidence of all malicious comments, false information and sexual harassment posted in her live-stream chats and across her channel. "I will hold everyone strictly and legally accountable to the end, without any settlement or leniency," she said.

Supporters left encouraging messages in the comment section, writing "Stay strong, Kim," "You've got this," and "Please take care of your health."

About a month ago, Kim wrote in a separate post that she was physically and mentally worn out after articles were published without her consent and malicious, unverified reports, abusive comments and criticism continued to pile up. She said she would "calmly respond through legal procedures via her attorney" to matters currently underway.

Kim said she planned to take a break from her YouTube broadcasts for now to focus on recovering physically and mentally, and expressed sincere gratitude to everyone who had shown concern and support. "After I have recovered sufficiently, I will return in good health," she said.


yul@heraldcorp.com