12月22日、韓国検察が控訴を断念したことにより、産経新聞の加藤達也前ソウル支局長の無罪が確定した。
また、JFJNのメンバーでもあるジャーナリストのマイケル・ペン氏（新月通信社社長）は、産経新聞（12月23日付）の取材に対して「民主主義では報道の自由が大切で、そのことをしっかりアピールするようにアドバイスした」「今回の控訴断念は当然の結果だ」などとコメントしている。
Translation of relevant section: “From the perspective of protecting global freedom of the press as well, former Bureau Chief Kato has been supported by foreign journalists. Michael Penn (45), President of the Shingetsu News Agency based in Minato Ward, Tokyo, and a former Vice-President of the FCCJ, gave Kato advice on how to deal with the foreign media. “Normally my way of thinking is different from the Sankei Shimbun, but in this case we have damage to freedom of the press and that is a global issue. In a democracy freedom to report is important, and I advised Kato to strongly make his appeal in that fashion.” Penn added, “This prosecution is something that a democratic nation ought to be ashamed of. The failure of the prosecutors to be able to continue was only natural… Mr. Kato faced this court case bravely and I offer him my congratulations.”