[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Actor Shin Hyun-joon’s former manager denied Shin Hyun-joon’s claim of being cleared of charges.
On the 22nd, Kim, the former manager of Shin Hyun-joon, released a statement through his legal representative, saying, "Shin Hyun-joon claims that the prosecution closed the case with no charges regarding the allegations of power abuse and propofol use that I raised, as if the accusations I made were false, but this is not true."
He stated, "I have never requested an investigation by authorities regarding the power abuse allegations against Shin Hyun-joon. Therefore, Shin Hyun-joon’s claim that the power abuse allegations were proven false is not true."
Regarding the propofol use allegations against Shin Hyun-joon, he explained, "I did raise concerns about Shin Hyun-joon’s propofol use, but the complaint was dismissed because the statute of limitations had expired. However, the investigation I requested was about whether Shin Hyun-joon’s explanation?that I introduced the hospital where he received propofol despite me never doing so?was false. The authorities decided no charges against Shin Hyun-joon because the expression 'introduced' was not considered defamatory to my honor."
He added, "Rather, after I exposed that I was treated unfairly by Shin Hyun-joon in the past, several people related to Shin Hyun-joon sided with him and, through media interviews, claimed that I received but did not pay the salary of a junior road manager or that I fraudulently solicited investments by claiming to be Shin Hyun-joon’s manager and did not return the investment funds, thereby damaging my reputation. I have filed defamation lawsuits against these individuals."
He continued, "The prosecution recognized my claims as true and indicted Mr. Lee for defamation by false facts, and the police forwarded me to the prosecution with a recommendation to charge me with insult. Investigations on other related persons are ongoing."
Furthermore, he said, "Currently, Shin Hyun-joon has filed a defamation lawsuit against me with the prosecution, claiming my allegations are false. I will announce my position again after the prosecution’s investigation results are out."
Earlier, in July last year, Kim, Shin Hyun-joon’s former manager, exposed allegations of power abuse, claiming he was treated unfairly by Shin Hyun-joon for 13 years. He also requested a reinvestigation by authorities regarding suspicions that Shin Hyun-joon illegally used propofol around 2010. When Shin Hyun-joon denied these allegations, Kim filed a lawsuit against him for spreading false information and defamation.
However, the police dismissed the complaint regarding Shin Hyun-joon’s propofol case, stating, "No illegal facts were found."
Shin Hyun-joon’s side stated, "The former manager’s claims about propofol use and power abuse were all proven false through investigation. We have sued him for defamation and will hold him fully accountable. This experience has given me time to reflect humbly on myself. I will strive to show a more mature side in the future."
Full statement from Shin Hyun-joon’s former manager.
1. I am Kim OO, who worked as actor Shin Hyun-joon’s manager in the past. Recently, Shin Hyun-joon has claimed that the prosecution closed the cases of power abuse and propofol use allegations I raised with no charges, as if my accusations were false. I hereby clarify that this is not true.
① Regarding power abuse allegations
I have never requested an investigation by authorities regarding the power abuse allegations against Shin Hyun-joon. Therefore, Shin Hyun-joon’s claim that the power abuse allegations were proven false is not true.
However, I did raise issues regarding several false statements in Shin Hyun-joon’s explanations that damaged my honor. The authorities decided no charges because these statements were made by others around Shin Hyun-joon in interviews or during rebuttals of my interview, and it was difficult to see intent to defame or harm my honor.
② Regarding propofol
I did raise concerns about Shin Hyun-joon’s propofol use in the past, but the complaint was dismissed due to the statute of limitations.
Separately, the investigation I requested was about whether Shin Hyun-joon’s explanation?that I introduced the hospital where he received propofol despite me never doing so?was false. The authorities decided no charges against Shin Hyun-joon because the expression 'introduced' was not considered defamatory to my honor.
2. Rather, after I exposed that I was treated unfairly by Shin Hyun-joon in the past, several people who worked with or were related to Shin Hyun-joon sided with him and, through media interviews, claimed that I received but did not pay the salary of a junior road manager or that I fraudulently solicited investments by claiming to be Shin Hyun-joon’s manager and did not return the investment funds, thereby damaging my reputation. I filed defamation lawsuits against these individuals. The prosecution recognized my claims as true and indicted Mr. Lee for defamation by false facts. The police forwarded me to the prosecution with a recommendation to charge me with insult, and investigations on other related persons are ongoing.
3. Currently, Shin Hyun-joon has filed a defamation lawsuit against me with the prosecution, claiming my allegations are false. I will announce my position again after the prosecution’s investigation results are out.
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