Lee Seung-hwan announces appeal to Gumi Mayor: "No apology of any kind... Do not use tax money" [Full Text]

*This content was translated by AI.

Singer Lee Seung-hwan has once again taken a firm stance following a partial victory in a damages lawsuit related to the cancellation of his Gumi concert.

On the 13th, Lee said via his social media, "In the end, no apology of any kind was made. If it is due to conviction, it is terrifyingly chilling; if it is due to face, it is pitifully ridiculous."

He continued, "As I stated, I will begin the appeal process. I will increase the number of legal representatives from the current two to five times that amount, totaling ten people. I will thoroughly examine whether there are any loopholes in the State Compensation Act to ensure that those responsible cannot escape the law when they cause actual harm through arbitrary and anti-democratic decisions that go against social norms."

He further emphasized, "I will ensure that Mr. Kim Jang-ho can no longer easily spout values such as law and principle, citizens, and safety, which he himself does not possess."

He stated, "Just as Mr. Kim Jang-ho said when canceling my concert, I, who have lived a full life, as a senior and colleague in the music scene, wish to leave a precedent that contributes to the coexistence and advancement of society and the arts and culture. To ensure such incidents never happen again, and to prevent narrow-minded and regressive behaviors such as denying or canceling venue rentals based on the whims of local governments, I will stop the arrogant and reckless abuse of power through the verdict of this lawsuit."

In particular, he added a warning to the Gumi Mayor: "This time, you must not use tax money."

Previously, Judge Park Nam-jun (Director) of the Seoul Central District Court, Civil Division 913, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in part on the 8th during a hearing on a 250 million won damages lawsuit filed by Lee Seung-hwan and others against Mayor Kim Jang-ho and the city of Gumi. The court ordered Gumi City to pay a total of 125 million won to Lee Seung-hwan, his agency, and concert ticket holders.

In response, Lee Seung-hwan stated that if Mayor Kim offers an apology, he will accept the first-instance verdict as is, and that "the compensation money, excluding legal costs, will be donated in full to Gumi City's 'Our Dream Youth Orchestra'."

Gumi City canceled Lee Seung-hwan's concert at the Gumi Cultural Arts Center, originally scheduled for December 25, 2024, just two days before the performance. At the time, local civic groups announced a protest against his concert following Lee's remarks on the impeachment motion of Yoon Suk-yeol. Gumi City requested a pledge from Lee Seung-hwan promising not to make political incitement or misleading remarks, but this was not accepted. The city canceled the venue rental two days before the scheduled concert date, citing "the safety of citizens and audiences."

In the end, no apology of any kind was made.

If it is due to conviction, it is terrifyingly chilling; if it is due to face, it is pitifully ridiculous.

As I stated, I will begin the appeal process.

I will increase the number of legal representatives from the current two to five times that amount, totaling ten people.

I will thoroughly examine whether there are any loopholes in the State Compensation Act to ensure that those responsible cannot escape the law when they cause actual harm through arbitrary and anti-democratic decisions that go against social norms.

And thus, I will ensure that Mr. Kim Jang-ho can no longer easily spout values such as law and principle, citizens, and safety, which he himself does not possess.

Just as Mr. Kim Jang-ho said when canceling my concert, I, who have lived a full life, as a senior and colleague in the music scene, wish to leave a precedent that contributes to the coexistence and advancement of society and the arts and culture.

To ensure such incidents never happen again, and to prevent narrow-minded and regressive behaviors such as denying or canceling venue rentals based on the whims of local governments,

I will stop the arrogant and reckless abuse of power through the verdict of this lawsuit.

Mr. Mayor. This time, you must not use tax money.

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*This content was translated by AI.