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Being libeled. Can I sue?
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Steelrails



Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

madowlspeaks wrote:
crescent wrote:
madowlspeaks wrote:
spoke English so I hung up. 20 MINUTES later someone called me back asking if I had called.

So why didn't you report it then?

You could go to the police about the slander, but that will end up in court and you'll no doubt need a lawyer.


I didnt report it because I had NO TIME to go to the police. Seriously, I was working back to back classes that week and couldn't afford to lose the money plus my husband urged me to let it ride.


First off, I assume you retrieved the ripped off rain protector, right? If someone rips something from your car intentionally (or even accidentally, you should retrieve it. What's on that rain protector in full glory? Why? Why? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? His fingerprints.

Second, don't ever, EVER, drive without your phone. I don't care if it's down the block for a cup of ramen. Don't leave home without your phone.

Third, don't get frustrated by them not speaking English. I assume you have a dictionary or Lonely Planet guide, right? Just call the police- say the word for your crime (in English or Korean), and say your location. Keep it simple. That's all you need to say. Keep it simple.

"Vandalism. Vandalism. Vandalism." Someone on the other line will know the term in Korean or translate it on Naver. Next, location- "Lotte Super. Lotte Super. Lotte Super."

If something is bad and serious, when dealing with the KCops and KLaw, you must be decisive and serious and pursue it. Drop what you're doing and take care of it. If your employers have a problem with you being late/missing a class, be proactive- call them as its happening and make it clear you need their assistance. If they insist on you going to work, raise a stink- make it clear to them what happened and how serious it is.

Do not give up and get frustrated simply because the cops have poor English or that their customer service is crappy. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Go in and demand action. If they tell you file a complaint in the morning and they tell you to visit them after work, show up during lunch and you or a Korean who supports you, call at least once between then to make it clear that you expect something to happen. The cops vette their complaints this way. If it appears to them that you don't take it seriously, they won't take it seriously. Be insistent and impassioned, but not hysterical and insulting.

Remember you are in the right on this. There was no reason for him to damage your vehicle.

Lastly. This is Korea, sometimes you have to drive on the danged sidewalk and sometimes you just have to keep traffic flowing. Unless driving on the sidewalk obviously risks damage to your car, you shouldn't hesitate to occasionally do it. The issue isn't whether it's right or wrong. The issue is that that's the way it is and that's what you sometimes have to do. Driving sucks here. I know. It drives me bonkers and for all my apologistaness, it often goes out the window when I'm on the road. But you have to keep a cool head and play ball. The things that really sucks, is I know I REALLY have to swallow my pride when I'm driving in my Korean small town where I work. I must remember to be smiling and cooperative and patient. In another city, I might raise a stink. You ever hear the saying "Don't crap where you eat?", sometimes that comes with driving. You have to suck it up sometimes. It's bad. I hate it. I just put on the most chill music I can think of, drive relaxed, any kind of insanity and rudeness, I just try to take it as zaniness.

So, I seriously hope you have that rain protector.
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nautilus



Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:49 am    Post subject: Re: Being slandered. Can I sue? Reply with quote

madowlspeaks wrote:
The driver got angry and started making motions for me to move my car so he could pass. I still refused. So, he got out of his car and lit a cigarette, all cocky and arrogant.


Oh charming.
Basically he expected you to do as told, you're a woman. He can do no wrong, he's an ajosshi.
Sparkling.

Seoulman69 wrote:
What I find most worrying is your husband's reaction.


The husband is Korean.

Crescent wrote:
A video of the incident would have been smart, too.


Indeed. Learn how to work your phone camera.


If I were you I would go all out to resolve this in your favour. Take it on board. Tackle it full on.
Sometimes I think this is a nation of bullies that need to be taught a lesson.
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CentralCali



Joined: 17 May 2007

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Steelrails wrote:
Second, don't ever, EVER, drive without your phone. I don't care if it's down the block for a cup of ramen. Don't leave home without your phone.


Got that right. A jerk near Seoul Station came after me to attack me because he was offended by an answer I gave to my Korean friend's question as we passed the jerk and I wasn't even talking to the jerk in question. What saved me was that I immediately whipped out my phone and hit the record button. I really don't recall if I managed to get any video; however, the jerk believed I was taping him.

Don't even answer the door without your phone in hand and ready to record.

In the OP's case, taking a video of the guy ranting and raving and vandalizing the vehicle would have been the best bet. Then call the emergency hot-line for police assistance.
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some waygug-in



Joined: 25 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 10:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's stuff like this that make me glad I left Korea.

These things may not happen all that often, but when they do it really sucks all the joy out of being there.
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crescent



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: yes.

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

some waygug-in wrote:
It's stuff like this that make me glad I left Korea.

These things may not happen all that often, but when they do it really sucks all the joy out of being there.

Oh these things happen more than you'd expect. Online bullying is a huge problem.
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ThingsComeAround



Joined: 07 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

+1 SteelRails for Best Answer
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Benjamino



Joined: 21 Apr 2012
Location: Jinju

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 4:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Firstly, it's not slander it's libel.

There is a difference between the two in that libel needs to be written in permanent form of some sort (newspapers, internet forums). Slander is words spoken verbally.

Secondly, based on my knowledge of the libel laws you have a case if you were in the UK or the States. Korea has slightly different defamation laws but based on what you say then you'd be good to go.

From wiki: Korea is interesting as true & false statements are punishable criminally & civilly with defamation; any words harming another can be considered illegal and may be punishable with fines and imprisonment up to seven years
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Kepler



Joined: 24 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hire a lawyer to write her a warning letter in which she is threatened with legal action. Maybe she'll stop and delete her posts.
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Weigookin74



Joined: 26 Oct 2009

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In Korea, it doesn't matter if it's true or not. Libel laws regard someone losing face. If an ajumma gossips in a coffee shop, that's ok because it can't be proven. But if you record them or get the text of what they said online, then you can report it to the police. Get that blog and show it to them. Get a Korean to contact a help organization and they'll tell you how to proceed from there.
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Chalmers



Joined: 20 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 10:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sue the sh!t out of them!!!!!!!!
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PigeonFart



Joined: 27 Apr 2006

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

agreed....SUE THEM PEASANTS!

....i mean, sue "those" peasants. [sounds better with bad grammar above]

No seriously. Don't let those bullies get away with it.
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Squire



Joined: 26 Sep 2010
Location: Jeollanam-do

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 11:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get plenty of screenshots of anything libelous being said about you. You might aswell, in case it goes further and they decide to delete what they've been saying
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Milwaukiedave



Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Location: Goseong

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 11:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think filing harassment charges would be the better way to go. If both the husband and wife are trying to track you down and you feel threatened I would follow through on that.

As someone else said, keep an eye on your family and make sure everyone is carrying a cell phone in case of an emergency.
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meangradin



Joined: 10 Mar 2006

PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i guess i am going to come at this from a different angle than the rest of the posters; ask yourself if this is worth the fight. if some of the people in your neighborhood don't like you and are thus prone to gossip about you, how are they going to treat you after you sue someone. that is not to say i don't find the man's behavior reprehensible, only that i am concerned about how this will affect you and your family. it's all well and good for people here to suggest you do this and that, but they have nothing invested in the outcome, whereas you do. i think sometimes you just can't win, and this may be one of those times. anyway, that's my two cents. good luck to you.
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rainman3277



Joined: 13 Sep 2009

PostPosted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 12:24 am    Post subject: Re: Being slandered. Can I sue? Reply with quote

[quote="nautilus"]
madowlspeaks wrote:

The husband is Korean.


+1
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