The group Highlight denies internet-spread rumors as unfounded and will pursue legal action.
On the 21st, the agency Around Us posted on its official website, "Recently, we have confirmed that unfounded false information circulated on certain social media and internet communities has caused serious damage to Highlight members."
It went on to say, "First, the information currently circulating on the internet is absolutely not true."
The agency added, "The spreading of false information constitutes defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection and the Criminal Act, damaging the members' honor and credibility and causing enormous mental and economic losses. Accordingly, we inform you that we will take the following strong legal measures."
Accordingly, the agency said it will hold parties accountable both criminally and civilly, adding, "We will file a criminal complaint on charges of defamation, and we will pursue legal action including civil claims for damages against all individuals who caused economic losses by spreading false information."
Below is the full official statement from the agency Around Us
Hello, this is Around Us Ent.
Recently, we have confirmed that unfounded false information circulated on certain social media and internet communities has caused serious damage to Highlight members.
In relation to this, many fans have already sent us captured PDF images and URLs to our email.
First, we state that the unfounded information currently circulating on the internet is absolutely not true.
The spreading of false information constitutes defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection and the Criminal Act, damaging the members' honor and credibility and causing enormous mental and economic losses. Accordingly, we inform you that we will take the following strong legal measures.
Criminal measures: We will file a criminal complaint on charges of defamation under Article 70 of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection and Articles 307 and 309 of the Criminal Act against those who spread false information.
Civil claims for damages: We will pursue legal action, including civil claims for damages, against all individuals who caused economic losses to Highlight members and our company by spreading false information.
We will never tolerate any act that tarnishes the reputation of our artists or causes harm through the distribution of unverified false information or malicious posts and comments, and we will hold parties accountable through strong legal measures.
We are always deeply grateful for fans' warm affection and interest.
We will also do our best to protect our artists.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]