Posting Fake Posts on SNS for Business Promotion
Agency Files Complaint for Defamation and Obstruction of Business
Soccer player Son Heung-min (Tottenham) and club staff members (MD) who posted false claims on social networking services (SNS) that he spent 30 million won on drinks at a Gangnam club have been collectively reported to the police.
On the 9th, Son Heung-min's agency, 'Son & Football Limited,' announced that they filed a complaint with the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul against five individuals, including an MD from a club in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, for defamation and obstruction of business for using false information to promote the club.
Son Heung-min is greeting the crowd after the second match of the 2024 Coupang Play Series between Tottenham and Bayern Munich held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 3rd. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the 3rd, these individuals posted on their Instagram that Son Heung-min visited a club after the match between Tottenham (England) and Bayern Munich (Germany) held at the World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, and paid 30 million won for drinks. The post specifically named the club and the amount spent on drinks. This post quickly spread to online communities, and netizens who saw it left comments criticizing Son Heung-min.
The next day, on the 4th, the agency issued a press release stating, "There was absolutely no visit or payment by Son Heung-min at the club, and this is a clear falsehood," adding, "Son Heung-min went straight home after the match to rest." They further explained, "After verifying the facts, it was confirmed that the club's MDs spread false information to promote their establishment."
In the complaint, the agency claimed, "Their posts damaged Son Heung-min's exemplary image and interfered with the agency's business, which is based on the reputation and brand value Son Heung-min has built for advertising and marketing." They also added, "Although only club officials have been sued this time, we will take strict legal action without any settlement or leniency against any acts infringing on rights related to Son Heung-min, such as spreading false information, creating malicious rumors, and posting malicious comments, based on fan reports and internal monitoring."
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min is now in his 10th season with England's Tottenham. After the second match of the 2024 Coupang Play Series against Germany's Bayern Munich held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 3rd, he told reporters that he is determined to "challenge his limits once again" in the new season. Son said, "Whenever I start a new season, I always return to my original mindset. I don't set specific goals but try to push my limits," adding, "This season is no different. I want to see how far my limits go. I hope it will be a time for further growth."
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