Online users seek Korean help on Cornell defendant

English-speaking social media users are asking Korean netizens to help find information about Winston Lee, a Korean student among seven defendants in a Cornell University sexual assault lawsuit, The Korea Times reported.

The case has drawn attention across Korean and Korean American online communities as users try to identify Lee’s Korean name and background while unverified claims circulate rapidly.

The Korea Times reported that English-speaking users have posted on social media, Reddit and Korean and Korean American online communities as they look for more information about Lee.

Lee was described by The Korea Times as a Korean student and one of seven defendants in a Cornell University sexual assault lawsuit. The report said publicly available information about him appeared more limited than information circulating about other defendants.

Some users have tried to connect Lee to Seoul Foreign School and UWC Atlantic in Wales, according to The Korea Times. The report also said a LinkedIn profile attributed to Lee listed service in the Republic of Korea Army, and Cornell’s directory currently lists him as a student.

The online search has included direct appeals to Korean internet users. The Korea Times quoted one user as writing, "OK Korean people, we're counting on you to track one of your own people down," while another wrote, "Leaving it up to the knetz."

Other comments cited by The Korea Times described Korean internet users as "ruthless hunters" who "know how to punish their own." On Reddit, one user responded after another posted what was purported to be Lee’s Korean name, writing, "Hey, you got his Korean name!"

The Korea Times reported that unverified claims about Lee’s family and identity have spread quickly as the crowdsourced search continues.