The second trial also said, "MBC should compensate Choi Kyung-hwan for the 'reporting of suspicion of investment in SillaJen'."

Choi Kyung-hwan, former deputy prime minister for economic affairs, who filed a lawsuit against MBC for damages, saying that his reputation was damaged by false reports that he invested in ShillaJen, won some of the appeals.

The Seoul High Court ruled today (1st) that MBC should pay 20 million won as in the first trial in former Deputy Prime Minister Choi's claim for damages worth 300 million won against MBC.

MBC reported former Value Invest Korea CEO Lee Chul's claim in April 2020 that former Deputy Prime Minister Choi invested 500 million won in convertible bonds from SillaJen and 6 billion won by people around him.

In response, former Deputy Prime Minister Choi filed a lawsuit against MBC, saying that fake news damaged his reputation, and sued former CEO Lee and MBC reporters.

Earlier, the prosecution decided that MBC reporters and others were not charged, and handed over Lee's claim to trial on charges of defamation by publications, judging that it was false.