South Korean Singer Takes Legal Action After Concert Cancellation
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Popular South Korean singer Seunghwan lee is embroiled in a legal battle with the mayor of Gumi City after the cancellation of his scheduled concert. Lee alleges the cancellation was politically motivated, stemming from his outspoken criticism of the South Korean government and his support for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol.

Lee and his legal representative, lawyer Lim Jae-seong of Haemaru Law Firm, appeared on the YouTube channel ‘Maebul show’ on December 26th to discuss the situation. the Gumi City government canceled the concert venue rental on December 23rd, citing safety concerns. however, Lee vehemently disputes this, stating, “It seems the real reason for the rental cancellation was ‘refusal to sign the pledge.'”
Lee further elaborated on his accusations against Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho, stating, “Today, he told me that he was 60 years old and that he pitied me. But what I feel even more pitiful about is that in the pledge, it says ‘no words or actions such as political instigation or misunderstanding’, which is a complete inscription. It is indeed a correct sentence to write ‘It causes political misunderstanding, etc.’ What kind of people are the staff around you? “It’s pitiful,” he said.
He continued, expressing his frustration: “I don’t have any sense of hitting. There were a lot of lawsuits. “I didn’t do anything to deserve criticism, and that person should be criticized,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that I had to exercise for 2 hours and 30 minutes, but I cut it down to 1 hour and 30 minutes because I was writing social media posts to respond.“That’s about it,” he said.
Lawyer Lim Jae-seong confirmed that legal action is underway. “Rather than claiming (the amount of damages) unfairly, we are trying to claim an amount that can actually be recognized by the court. “We are preparing a claim for damages worth a little over 200 million won,” he explained. Furthermore, lee added, “We are also preparing a constitutional petition,” to challenge the legality of the city’s actions.
Attorney Lim detailed the constitutional petition, stating, “To confirm that it is unconstitutional for a state agency, such as the head of a local government, to write a pledge to celebrities to refrain from making political remarks or inciting political actions ahead of a performance.” He added, “I plan to file a constitutional appeal.”
Lee’s public support for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol and his continued criticism of the government, including his performance at a rally on December 13th, are central to the controversy. This case highlights concerns about freedom of speech and potential government overreach in South Korea, sparking debate about the balance between public order and artistic expression.
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Free Speech Under Fire: South Korean Singer Sues City After Concert Cancellation Amidst Political Controversy
South Korean singer Seunghwan Lee is facing legal battles and public scrutiny following the cancellation of his concert in Gumi City. Lee alleges the cancellation, which came after Mayor Kim jang-ho requested Lee pledge too refrain from making political statements, is a bid to silence his dissenting voice.
A Concert Cancelled: Political Pressure or Legitimate Concerns?
Emily Carter, senior Editor of world-today-news.com, interviews Dr. Ji-Yeon Kim, Professor of Political Science at Seoul National University, about the case:
Emily Carter: Dr. Kim, thank you for joining us today to discuss this complex case involving Seunghwan Lee and the city of Gumi. Can you shed some light on the reasons behind the concert cancellation?
Dr. Ji-Yeon kim: Certainly, Emily. The situation is multifaceted. While the Gumi City government cites concerns about public safety as the reason for cancelling the venue rental, Lee and his legal team strongly believe this is a pretext to silence his political criticisms. Lee has been outspoken in his support for President Yoon Seok-yeol’s impeachment and has been critical of the government’s policies.
EC: Lee claims he was asked to sign a pledge refraining from any political remarks or actions before taking the stage. Is this unusual in South Korea?
DK: it is indeed highly unusual, Emily.While performers may sometimes be asked to avoid controversial topics, an outright ban on political expression during a concert is a Firstly, it raises serious concerns about freedom of expression, a basic right guaranteed by the South Korean constitution. Secondly, it sets
potentially hazardous precedent, suggesting that artists can be subject to censorship based on their political views.
EC: Lee is pursuing both a damage claim and a constitutional challenge. What are the potential implications of this case?
DK: This case has the potential to become a landmark case regarding artistic freedom and political dissent in South Korea. If the court rules in favor of Lee, it would reaffirm the right to free speech and send a strong message against government overreach. However,if the court sides with the city,it could embolden authorities to censor artists and stifle criticism.
EC: What is the broader context of this case within South Korean society?
DK: South Korea has a vibrant democracy, but there have been concerns about shrinking democratic spaces in recent years. This case highlights the ongoing tensions between artistic freedom, political discourse, and the role of government in regulating public expression. it will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers.
EC: Dr. Kim, thank you for sharing your insight on this important issue.