A court has ruled that Gumi City must pay a total of 125 million won in damages for unilaterally canceling singer Lee Seung-hwan’s concert.
According to the Chosun Ilbo on the 8th, the Seoul Central District Court partially ruled in favor of the plaintiffs today in a 250 million won damages lawsuit filed by Lee Seung-hwan, his agency Dream Factory Club, and 100 concert ticket holders against Gumi City and Mayor Kim Jang-ho. The court ordered Gumi City to pay Lee Seung-hwan 35 million won, Dream Factory Club 75 million won, and 150,000 won to each of the 100 ticket holders.
The incident originated when Gumi City canceled Lee Seung-hwan’s concert, scheduled for December 25, 2024, at the Gumi City Cultural Arts Center, just two days before the event. This followed remarks made by Lee Seung-hwan at a Suwon concert on December 14 of that year, after the impeachment motion against then-President Yoon Suk-yeol was passed. He reportedly stated, “It’s good that he’s impeached. It seems like the world will become more comfortable now.” Subsequently, some local conservative groups held rallies in front of Gumi City Hall, voicing strong opposition to Lee Seung-hwan’s performance.
Ultimately, Gumi City Mayor Kim Jang-ho suddenly canceled the venue rental for Lee Seung-hwan’s concert, citing safety concerns due to worries about potential physical clashes between the audience and conservative right-wing groups, a decision that immediately sparked controversy.
Gumi City reportedly requested a pledge from Lee Seung-hwan’s representatives, stating he would not engage in “political agitation, misunderstandings, or similar remarks.” When Lee Seung-hwan’s team refused this demand, the city proceeded to cancel the venue rental just two days before the performance. Lee Seung-hwan’s side released an official statement expressing “regret over Gumi City’s unilateral decision to cancel the concert venue rental” and announced their intention to “swiftly pursue legal action against Gumi City.”
Subsequently, Lee Seung-hwan, his agency, and the concert ticket holders filed a lawsuit last January, claiming both mental and financial damages due to the disruption and cancellation of the concert. It was reported that Lee Seung-hwan sought 100 million won in emotional distress compensation, his agency sought 100 million won in damages for the concert cancellation, and each ticket holder sought 500,000 won in emotional distress compensation.
