[Exclusive]Cho Byung-gyu school violence controversy lawsuit, first appeal trial set for August 28

*This content was translated by AI.

• First instance ruled in favor of defendant... "Difficult to definitively conclude that A's posts raising suspicions were false"

The appeal trial in the damages lawsuit related to allegations of school violence against actor Cho Byung-gyu will begin this August.

According to StarNews, the 13th Civil Division (B) of the Seoul High Court will hold the first argument session for the appeal trial in the damages lawsuit filed by Cho Byung-gyu against A, who raised allegations of school violence, on August 28.

Unlike the first instance, former agency HB Entertainment of Cho Byung-gyu is no longer listed as an appellant, and the plaintiff's claim has also been reduced to approximately 9 billion won.

Previously, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 37, which handled the first instance, ruled in favor of the defendant in September 2025 in a damages lawsuit worth over 4 billion won between Cho Byung-gyu, HB Entertainment, and A, dismissing all of Cho Byung-gyu's claims and ordering the plaintiff to bear the litigation costs.

At that time, Cho Byung-gyu's side claimed that A posted false articles damaging his reputation, resulting in losses worth 4 billion won due to the termination of advertising model contracts and the cancellation of appearances in dramas, movies, and variety shows, and demanded compensation including 200 million won in mental damages.

In response, the court stated that "it is difficult to definitively conclude that the posts were false based solely on the evidence submitted by Cho Byung-gyu's side." Regarding A's deletion of the exposé posts, the court said, "It appears to be due to fear of criminal complaints and a massive damages lawsuit, not an admission of falsity."

During the trial, statements from over 20 acquaintances submitted by Cho Byung-gyu's side were not accepted as evidence. The court ruled, "All of them are domestic acquaintances of Cho Byung-gyu. It is difficult to verify the facts of the incident that occurred in New Zealand," and determined that the statements did not prove false facts.

Some of the acquaintances had studied abroad with Cho Byung-gyu in New Zealand, but the court rejected them, stating, "These are individuals recognized as having a significant personal relationship with Cho Byung-gyu."

In response, Cho Byung-gyu's side appealed against the first-instance ruling.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the case in which Cho Byung-gyu filed a criminal complaint against A for defamation also received a decision not to prosecute.

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*This content was translated by AI.