The dispute surrounding actor Cho Jin Woong (legal name Cho Won Jun) and an incident from his high school years has developed from allegations of a juvenile offense into a broader debate concerning media responsibility and legal boundaries.
After Cho announced his retirement from the entertainment industry, attorney Kim Kyung Ho filed a criminal complaint against Dispatch and one of its reporters. He stated that the outlet "could ultimately be forced to shut down" depending on how the case proceeds in court.
The central point of contention is Dispatch’s statement that “It has been verified that he stood criminal trial in his second year of high school.” Attorney Kim maintains that this claim is factually incorrect.
According to Kim, Cho Jin Woong was never indicted by prosecutors at the time and did not undergo a criminal court proceeding. Instead, he received a juvenile protection disposition, which is legally different from criminal adjudication.
In Korean law, the distinction is significant. A criminal trial may result in a conviction that leaves a permanent criminal record and continues to influence licensing decisions, employment opportunities and social evaluation well into adulthood. A juvenile protection disposition, on the other hand, is rehabilitative in nature. Article 32 of the Juvenile Act states that such dispositions “shall not have any influence on the juvenile’s future status.”
Despite these legal differences, Dispatch reported that Cho had “stood criminal trial” and had been tried for “robbery and rape under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.” Attorney Kim argues that this wording misrepresented a juvenile case as a serious adult criminal proceeding and portrayed Cho as a violent offender.
Juvenile cases in Korea are confidential under the law. Article 70 of the Juvenile Act strictly prohibits the disclosure or unauthorized review of investigation or trial records.
Attorney Kim’s statement that “Dispatch could close” reflects not only potential criminal penalties but also the prospect of substantial civil liability. With Cho Jin Woong withdrawing from his career, he may seek indemnification from Dispatch for penalties stemming from breached contracts related to dramas, films, and advertisements. He may also pursue damages claimed by production companies and broadcasters and financial losses associated with his inability to continue professional work.
The controversy has also raised broader questions regarding public perception of juvenile justice. Commentators note that characterizing an individual who received a protection disposition many years ago as a “criminal trial offender” effectively undermines the purpose of the Juvenile Act, which intends to guarantee that such dispositions do not harm a person’s prospects.
How Dispatch’s reporting is evaluated in court is expected to have significant implications for entertainment journalism and for future reporting standards related to juvenile cases.
SEE ALSO: More claims emerge as Cho Jin Woong exits the industry over past misconduct
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