Lee Gikwang Wins 1st Trial Over Defamation Case Against Politician Kim Geun Tae

Around Us Entertainment shared an update on the ongoing trial over comments made by politician Kim Geun Tae about Highlight’s Lee Gikwang.

In April, former The People’s Party candidate Kim Geun Tae accused the marketing company Creativer of illegally acquiring and misusing regular citizens’ online accounts in order to manipulate music charts. Several artists were accused of carrying out underhanded marketing techniques with Creativer, including Highlight’s Lee Gikwang. The singer’s agency Around Us Entertainment took legal action against Kim Geun Tae for defamation due to the spread of false information, with the agency lodging a claim for damages.

On October 15, Around Us shared that they won the first trial. Read their statement below:

Hello, this is Around Us Ent.

Our agency filed civil and criminal complaints against Kim Geun Tae for defamation against our artist Lee Gikwang on April 13, after he spread false information about chart manipulation.

In regard to our civil case for the request for compensation of damages, we inform you that we won the first trial as it was judged that the defendant is responsible for the compensation of property damage and psychological damage due to his illegal act, as the defendant did not provide a defense.

We will continue to do our best until the end and cooperate with the investigation in the currently ongoing criminal complaint case and in the second trial if the defendant files an appeal.

We will continue to work hard to protect the rights of our artist.

Thank you.

That day, Kim Geun Tae told the outlet News1, “I didn’t receive the document about the civil claim for damages in the mail, so I was not aware of the trial.” He said, “I was contacted about it by the police, and that’s how I learned that the verdict was out.”

He continued, “I appointed a lawyer and filed an appeal two or three weeks ago.” He said that from what he is aware, only the civil case is currently underway. When asked about the allegations of spreading false information, he said, “I will issue a statement in the future.”

Lee Gikwang is currently in the military after enlisting for mandatory service in April 2019.

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