Singer Lee Seung-hwan filed an appeal after winning in part in the first trial of a damages lawsuit he brought against the mayor of Gumi over the cancellation of a concert venue.
On the 20th, Lee Seung-hwan posted a case receipt along with a statement from his legal representative on his social media.
Haemaru Law Firm, which is representing Lee Seung-hwan, Dream Factory and ticket buyers for Lee Seung-hwan's Gumi concert in a damages suit against the former mayor of Gumi and Gumi City, said, "The plaintiffs today filed an appeal against the former mayor of Gumi."
The legal representatives explained, "The first trial in this lawsuit recognized Gumi City's liability for compensation to a considerable extent, but it did not recognize individual liability. The plaintiffs did not appeal regarding Gumi City because they judged that sufficient liability for compensation was recognized in the first trial (they accepted the first trial ruling), and they appealed only against the former mayor of Gumi Mr. Kim to jointly pay 124,850,000 won within the scope of Gumi City's compensation."
They added that in this appeal they will make sure individual liability is recognized, saying, "We will seek a new judgment from the court on whether it is just for the person in power who was at the top of the decision that infringed on freedom of expression to be exempted from the consequences of that decision."
Finally, they said, "This case will be a meaningful precedent not only as a simple damages case but also for how to hold personally accountable the individual who made the decision when public authority infringes freedom of expression. We will fight to the end with the plaintiffs."
Earlier, Gumi City canceled the planned Lee Seung-hwan 35th anniversary concert 'HEAVEN' in Busan at the Gumi Culture and Arts Center's main hall two days before the event last December. At the time, the mayor of Gumi held a press conference and explained, "We are canceling in consideration of the safety of citizens and the audience."
In response, Lee Seung-hwan raised his voice calling it an "unjust cancellation" and hinted at legal action, and Lee Seung-hwan, his agency Dream Factory Club, and 100 concert ticket buyers filed a damages lawsuit against the mayor of Gumi and Gumi City at the time.
On the 8th, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 913 (Presiding Judge Park Nam-joon) ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in part in a 250 million won damages lawsuit filed by Lee Seung-hwan, his agency Dream Factory Club, and 100 concert ticket buyers against the mayor of Gumi and Gumi City.
The court said, "Gumi City must pay Lee Seung-hwan 35 million won, Dream Factory Club 75 million won, and 100 ticket buyers 150,000 won each." Accordingly, Gumi City was ordered to pay a total of 125 million won in compensation.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]