After singer Lee Seung-hwan won a ruling awarding 125 million won in damages against Gumi City, which canceled the concert hall rental two days before his show, he demanded an apology from former Gumi mayor Kim Jang-ho.
On the 11th, Lee said on social media (SNS), "As already promised, I will donate all of the compensation for me and Dream Factory, excluding legal expense, to Gumi City's 'Our Dreamlight Youth Orchestra.'" He also said he would not appeal against Gumi City.
In particular, Lee also demanded a public apology from Mayor Kim. "As stated in the judgment, the risks surrounding the performance were nothing more than vague speculation, and efforts for safety were not even properly reviewed," he wrote. "Hyung, I was wrong. One honest word like this would do." He added, "If you would just offer one honest word, I will accept the entire first-trial ruling, including for the defendant Kim Jang-ho."
Earlier, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 913 (Presiding Judge Park Nam-jun) on the 8th ruled partly in favor of the plaintiffs in a damages suit filed by Lee Seung-hwan, his agency Dream Factory Club, and 100 ticket buyers against Gumi City and Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho.
The court ordered Gumi City to pay 35 million won to Lee Seung-hwan, 75 million won to Dream Factory Club, and 150,000 won to each of the 100 ticket buyers. The total compensation is 125 million won. However, it did not recognize Mayor Kim's personal liability for damages.