Open Sympathy TV Reports on Lee Young-ae and Kim Gun-hee Friendship Rumors
Lee Files Media Arbitration Commission Complaint Amid Civil and Criminal Lawsuits
Actress Lee Young-ae has filed a lawsuit against Jung Cheon-soo, the representative of the YouTube channel Yeollin Gonggam TV, who raised rumors about her friendship with First Lady Kim Geon-hee.
Lee's agency, Group Eight, announced on the 26th, "Jung Cheon-soo of Yeollin Gonggam TV disparaged Lee Young-ae and spread fake news that is not true. We have filed a complaint with the Press Arbitration Commission, filed a criminal complaint with the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul for violation of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation), and filed a civil lawsuit at the Seoul Western District Court."
The agency added, "If Lee Young-ae had acknowledged the fake news and apologized, she would not have filed a lawsuit against Jung. We waited for over a month for an apology and cessation of the broadcast. If the report was wrong, we believe that honestly admitting it and apologizing is the true attitude of a journalist." They also said, "Even now, if Jung acknowledges the fake news and sincerely apologizes, we have instructed our legal representatives to withdraw the lawsuit."
The agency conveyed, "Lee Young-ae regrets having to take legal action and said that if her participation in the fundraising for the establishment of the Rhee Syngman Presidential Memorial Hall caused discomfort to citizens with differing opinions, she sincerely apologizes once again."
Earlier, on the 12th of last month, Lee Young-ae pledged to participate in the establishment of the Rhee Syngman Presidential Memorial Hall by donating 50 million won to the Rhee Syngman Presidential Foundation. Regarding this, Yeollin Gonggam TV, a YouTube channel broadcasting news, reported on the 18th of last month in a video titled "Women Like X" that Lee's donation was related to her friendship with President Yoon Seok-youl and First Lady Kim Geon-hee.
In this video, Yeollin Gonggam TV mentioned Lee's husband’s connection with announcer Kim Beom-soo and raised rumors of friendship with First Lady Kim.
The media outlet further reported as if Lee Young-ae and First Lady Kim maintained a close relationship thereafter. In response, Lee sent a certified letter denying the friendship rumors with First Lady Kim and demanded the cessation of the broadcast and an apology. However, Yeollin Gonggam TV continued with a similar report titled "Lee Young-ae’s Response to the Certified Letter" on the 16th.
Meanwhile, on the 13th, Yoon Han-hong, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out at the National Assembly’s Political Affairs Committee audit, "Lee Young-ae is receiving tremendous attacks for donating 50 million won related to the Rhee Syngman Presidential Memorial Hall," and said, "The so-called 'left-wing' forces are attacking her to the level of a group lynching."
Yoon stated, "Ultimately, the purpose of the criticism is to prevent the establishment of the Rhee Syngman Memorial Hall," and argued, "People like Lee Young-ae should be actively protected by the state."
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