IU's Agency Reveals Criminal Complaint Status
"Suspected Middle School Alumni, Continuous Harassment"
"No Settlement or Leniency Offered"
Singer IU's side has disclosed the status of a criminal complaint, revealing that an individual presumed to be a middle school alumnus has continuously harassed her by raising plagiarism allegations. IU Instagram
Singer and actress IU is currently pursuing criminal complaints for threats, insults, and other offenses, and it has been revealed that an individual presumed to be a middle school alumnus is included among the targets.
On the 11th, IU's agency Edam Entertainment disclosed the status of the criminal complaints received from the law firm Shinwon, which is handling IU's legal representation. Previously, IU's side had selected and filed complaints for serious cases meeting criminal requirements among acts such as threats, insults, malicious spreading of false information, baseless plagiarism allegations causing defamation, death threats and invasion of privacy, sexual harassment, distribution of obscene materials, illegal production and distribution of deepfake (AI-based photo and video synthesis content), and other illegal information distribution acts.
According to Shinwon, the rulings or dispositions so far include six fines (summary fines), three conditional prosecutions with education completion, and one conditional prosecution with probation office guidance. Among these, the individual who committed cyberbullying by spreading baseless false information defaming IU, sexual harassment, and death threats was deemed to have a very bad criminal nature; the prosecution requested a fine of 3 million won, but the accused appealed and is awaiting the formal trial results. Additionally, another person who continuously harassed IU through multiple websites was judged by the prosecution to have committed a serious crime, leading to a formal trial request (public trial) rather than a summary procedure, and the trial process is currently underway.
Furthermore, some personal information of individuals who defamed IU by baselessly raising plagiarism suspicions around April to May last year has been identified. In particular, personal information has been secured for some who committed illegal acts using overseas servers and those believed to reside abroad. Among them is an individual presumed to be a middle school alumnus of IU, who has continued harassment despite the ongoing related case. IU's side stated that additional legal actions, including civil damages claims, are underway, and they have recently obtained a significant portion of the individual's personal information. Also, a complaint was filed against a person who spread false rumors (spy allegations) about IU around May last year; the suspect has been identified, and the first investigation has been completed. However, during further investigations, the suspect repeatedly refused to appear before investigative authorities, causing the investigation to be somewhat prolonged, and the suspect is currently transferred to the prosecution awaiting disposition.
IU's side emphasized, "Our agency and law firm continue to take strong legal actions to protect the artist's honor and personal rights. In addition to regular quarterly complaints, we are responding promptly and actively by filing individual complaints." They added, "We clearly state that there will be no settlements or leniency toward malicious commenters. We urge everyone to stop committing illegal acts through online platforms."
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