Amid Gumi city in North Gyeongsang citing safety reasons for canceling singer Lee Seung-hwan's 35th debut anniversary concert venue scheduled for the 25th, Lee Seung-hwan announced plans for legal action.
On the 23rd, Lee Seung-hwan expressed regret over Gumi city's unilateral decision to cancel the concert venue via social networking service (SNS), stating, "I plan to promptly take legal action against Gumi city." He further argued, "The legal and economic responsibilities arising from this unilateral and unfair decision to cancel the venue should be borne by those involved in the decision, not through the taxes of Gumi city's residents."
Lee Seung-hwan commented, "Gumi city claimed it was 'a decision for safety,' but I cannot agree. We requested the concert attendees to maintain a physical distance from the protestors against the concert and to refrain from speech or behavior that could provoke them," he said, adding, "Gumi city should have ensured the right to enjoy culture for the audience while appropriately guaranteeing the right to assembly and protest through the police."
He continued, "The real reason for the venue cancellation seems to be the 'refusal to sign the pledge.' The mayor of Gumi mentioned this several times during the press conference on the cancellation held on the 23rd." The venue sent an official notice to the concert planner on the 20th, requesting the planner and singer Lee Seung-hwan to sign a pledge stating, 'The planner and singer Lee Seung-hwan will not engage in speech or behavior that could be perceived as political agitation or misunderstanding in accordance with the Gumi Culture and Arts Center performance permit regulations,' and mentioned 'cancellation if not complied with.'
Lee Seung-hwan said, "It is an unfair demand to require the signing of a 'pledge,' which does not exist in the venue regulation or use permit content, including the performer's pledge instead of the contract party's, at such a close date to the venue, and even to submit it by a specific time on Sunday (2 p.m. on the 22nd), mentioning 'venue cancellation.'" He added, "Therefore, I notified the venue on the 22nd through a law firm of my intention not to sign."
He also emphasized, "The dictionary definition of 'agitation' is 'to incite others to take some action or behavior.' I do not engage in 'political agitation.'"
He continued, "Many fans were affected. There would be ticket expenses as well as transportation and accommodation expenses. Most importantly, the anticipated everyday life of seeing a performance on Christmas Day was canceled. I apologize instead," adding, "This incident is a 'freedom of expression' issue. I will address and change the issue to raise the level of our society again."
Earlier, the mayor of Gumi held a press conference in the Gumi City Hall conference room in the morning, stating, "We are canceling the Lee Seung-hwan concert slated for the 25th at the Gumi Culture and Arts Center considering the safety of citizens and the audience," citing "article 9 of the Gumi Culture and Arts Center operation ordinance."
Mayor Kim said, "On the 20th, Lee Seung-hwan's side was requested to submit a safety personnel deployment plan along with a pledge stating 'there will be no political agitation or behavior leading to misunderstanding.' However, Lee Seung-hwan's side clearly expressed opposition through legal representation by stating in writing, 'there is no intention to sign the attached pledge.'"
Mayor Kim explained, "On the 10th, Lee Seung-hwan's planning company was requested to refrain from political agitation. Nevertheless, Lee Seung-hwan made political remarks during the Suwon performance on the 14th, saying 'it's good that impeachment happened.'"
He added, "Due to such politically biased actions and remarks, Gumi regional civic groups expressed serious concerns and held two rounds of protests on the 19th and 20th. There was a risk of significant safety management issues for citizens and the audience, so advice from local civilian experts and university professors was sought, and the committee's opinions were collected."
Lee Seung-hwan publicly supported the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol and received demands from conservative right-wing groups to cancel the Gumi concert. On the 20th, he mentioned that the concert to be held at the Gumi Culture and Arts Center was virtually sold out, posting, "It was the place with the worst ticket situation, but thank you. Audience members, conservative right-wing groups."