SEOUL, May 31 -- An internet user who repeatedly posted malicious comments about singer and actress IU has been handed a suspended prison sentence by a South Korean court.

The Seoul Central District Court's appellate division sentenced the defendant to four months in prison, suspended for one year, along with probation and 80 hours of community service, The Korea JoongAng Daily reported.

This is a significantly harsher punishment than the two separate fines of 3 million won (RM7,862) each that the same person had received earlier.

The troll posted comments in 2022 that branded IU a "fraud" and accused her of having a "mental illness".

The court ruled these were hateful expressions that went far beyond acceptable criticism of a public ...