Yang Chi-seung, who suffered from a 2 billion won jeonse (deposit) fraud, loses administrative lawsuit as well [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Health trainer and broadcaster Yang Chi-seung lost his administrative lawsuit.

The Administrative Division 13 of the Seoul Administrative Court announced on the 15th that it dismissed all claims by the plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by Yang Chi-seung against the Mayor of Gangnam-gu seeking confirmation of the invalidity of an imposed compensation fee, stating that "litigation costs shall be borne by Yang Chi-seung."

In 2018, Yang signed a lease agreement with a private development company and opened a gym in a public parking lot building in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. It was later revealed that the building had been created through a method in which a private developer constructed the facility, donated it to Gangnam-gu, used it free of charge for 20 years, and transferred management and operation rights to the Gangnam-gu office.

Ultimately, when the private developer's period of free use ended in November 2022, the Gangnam-gu office demanded that Yang Chi-seung and other tenants vacate the premises. Yang protested that he had not been informed of these terms at the time of the contract and could not immediately move out because he had not received his deposit back.

Nevertheless, the Gangnam-gu office imposed a compensation fee of tens of millions of won on Yang, claiming he had occupied the building without authorization. Yang filed an administrative lawsuit in protest, but it was not accepted.

Meanwhile, Yang closed his gym in July 2025 and recently opened a bakery.

Yang appeared on MBC's 'Radio Star,' broadcast on the 7th, where he spoke about the damages he had experienced following the incident involving the donated facility building surrounding his long-operated gym. Yang stated that he had not become credit-ineligible, saying, "I have still been able to live until now. I also have a house," and added, "Only the things I could use for business were lost. Without them, I cannot move."

He further claimed that he had not been properly notified at the time of the contract that the gym he operated was located in a donated facility building. Yang said, "At first, I just wanted to get my deposit back and leave. But I heard there were problems with other buildings as well." In particular, he revealed that tenants did not know that the donation period had ended and continued to pay rent afterward, stating, "That alone was 500 million won."

In addition, the scale of the damage is said to be even larger when adding the deposit, facility investment costs, refunds that should be returned to members, attorney fees, and the period of about three years during which he was unable to conduct business properly. Yang revealed, "When I add it all up, it comes close to 2 billion won," surprising listeners.

There were moments when he shed tears in a place where no one knew, after shouldering such massive damages. Yang said, "Sometimes, looking back, there are times when I am too sad due to all kinds of stress," and confessed, "I ride a motorcycle because of fuel costs. I drive for an hour inside the helmet. I drive while screaming. It doesn't sound from outside."

He recalled, "I cried extremely, saying, 'Why is this dirty world doing this to me?' If it got too humid, I would wipe my tears and cry again." Nevertheless, he said he had composed himself before arriving home. Yang stated, "By the time I arrive home, all the stress has gone away, so no one notices when I get home."

The help of people around him was also significant in helping him endure the difficult times. Yang mentioned colleagues who looked after him, saying, "I have a considerable debt of gratitude in my heart."

Regarding Choi Kang-hee, he revealed, "What I am grateful for is that she prayed for me. One day, she called out of the blue and apologized. She said she had been busy for a week and could not pray."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original