(LEAD) Arrest warrant issued for YouTuber over blackmailing ‘mukbang’ star

A local court issued an arrest warrant Friday for a YouTuber on charges of blackmailing and extorting the online "mukbang" star Tzuyang, citing risks of him fleeing and destroying evidence. The Suwon District Court issued the warrant for Lee Se-wook, better known for his YouTube channel Caracula, on charges of blackmailing Tzuyang, following a hearing earlier in the day. However, the court denied an arrest warrant requested for a lawyer, surnamed Choi, who faced similar charges, saying the risks of him destroying evidence or fleeing are relatively lower. The two reportedly entered the court for the hearing via a private route and did not show up before the press. Earlier, Tzuyang filed a complaint against Choi, claiming that she signed an adviser agreement with him and paid him 23 million won (US$16,764) in fear that he would expose her past. He stands accused of blackmailing Tzuyang and handing false information about her over to another YouTuber, while Lee is suspected of abetting the blackmail of Tzu yang by YouTuber Gujeyeok. Lee is also accused of colluding with Gujeyeok to extort money from another internet broadcaster. The case was brought to public attention when YouTube channel Hoverlab revealed last month that Tzuyang had been blackmailed with threats by several YouTubers to make public her past of working at a bar. Tzuyang, who has more than 10 million subscribers on YouTube, later explained that she had been forced to work there due to continued assault and threats from her former boyfriend. Last month, the same court granted a warrant to arrest two YouTubers, Gujeyeok and Jujakgambeolsa, on charges of taking 55 million won from Tzuyang. Source: Yonhap News Agency