[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The police have decided not to prosecute Yecheon Yangjo, which has been in a dispute with singer Youngtak.
According to the police on the 10th, the Gangdong Police Station in Seoul decided on the 3rd not to prosecute Baek Gu-young, chairman of Yecheon Yangjo, who was accused of attempted extortion and other charges, due to insufficient evidence. Following the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police, the police can close a case without sending it to the prosecution if no criminal suspicion is found.
Earlier, in October last year, Youngtak’s side filed a complaint with the police against Yecheon Yangjo for defamation, threats, and attempted extortion under the Information and Communications Network Act, claiming that the company’s abuse of power caused the breakdown of negotiations for the renewal of the advertising model contract.
Youngtak signed a contract with Yecheon Yangjo in April last year and worked as the advertising model for "Youngtak Makgeolli," but conflicts surfaced when negotiations for the renewal of the advertising model contract broke down in June.
Yecheon Yangjo claimed that the negotiations failed because Youngtak demanded 15 billion won for trademark registration of "Youngtak" and contract renewal conditions, and argued that they could continue to use "Youngtak" as their makgeolli brand without registering the trademark.
In a statement, Yecheon Yangjo said, "Through the police investigation results, it was revealed that the core issue of this case, such as Youngtak’s mother demanding 15 billion won over three years, was true. Accordingly, defamation was not established."
In response to the police’s decision not to prosecute, Youngtak’s side stated that they would file an objection. On the same day, Youngtak’s agency Milagro claimed, "We cannot accept either the legal or factual judgment regarding the decision not to prosecute despite the serious wrongdoing."
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