Former T-ara Member Areum Found Guilty of Child Abuse and Defamation Charges

Sentenced to 8 Months in Prison, 2 Years Probation

Former girl group T-ara member Areum (real name Lee Areum) was sentenced to a suspended prison term on charges of child abuse and defamation.

On the 16th, the Suwon District Court Ansan Branch Criminal Division 9 (Presiding Judge Yoon Sang-do) held a sentencing hearing for Lee and sentenced her to 8 months in prison with a 2-year suspension, News1 reported on the same day. The court also ordered Lee to complete 40 hours of child abuse prevention lectures.

Lee was prosecuted for emotionally abusing her children by verbally abusing her ex-husband in front of them in November 2021, and for defaming B, who disclosed a court ruling regarding her boyfriend Mr. A, through an internet broadcast, violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. (defamation).

Former 'T-ara' member Areum (real name Lee Areum) was sentenced to a suspended prison term on the 16th for child abuse and defamation charges. Areum Instagram

The court stated, "Lee admits all charges related to her children," and added, "Although she claims she had no intention to defame, she made unreasonable statements such as '(a certain person's) court ruling was fabricated' without making efforts to verify the facts." The court further explained, "At least, there is implied intent, and considering that the statements were inconsistent with the facts and were made during an internet broadcast accessible to an unspecified large audience, it is fully recognized that she intended to defame the victim. Also, the fact that she has not been forgiven by the victim was taken as an unfavorable circumstance," explaining the reasons for sentencing.

The court also sentenced Lee’s mother, Ms. C, who was indicted without detention on charges of abducting a minor, to 4 months in prison with a 1-year suspension. Ms. C was prosecuted for neglecting Lee’s children by allowing them to continue living in an environment where Lee verbally abused her ex-spouse at their residence from 2021 to 2022. The court explained, "Considering that Ms. C admitted to the crime, is the children’s maternal grandmother, and has no prior criminal record."

Meanwhile, Lee Areum announced via social media in October last year that she had given birth to her third child with her boyfriend.

At that time, she posted a photo of her third daughter along with the message, "Now all your questions about my child will be answered." She also stated, "The cases are being resolved one by one," and added, "I am taking legal action mainly against malicious articles attacking me and people who harass me by abusing the situation. I will no longer worry or pay attention to them." She continued, "I will live the rest of my life happily and very ordinarily with my baby. I will come back as a wonderful woman of this era."

Separately from this case, Lee was also sent to the prosecution without detention last August on charges of borrowing about 37 million won from three acquaintances, including her fans, and failing to repay it. The victims reportedly claimed, "Areum borrowed money citing personal circumstances with her boyfriend and has not repaid it to date." The police also reported that Lee’s boyfriend, the biological father of her third child, is suspected of extorting some amount from the victims and was sent to the prosecution together.

Areum debuted in the music industry in July 2012 by joining the group T-ara as a new member. However, she left the group in July 2013, just one year after her debut, and announced her solo activities. She married a non-celebrity in 2019 and has two sons but announced that she is undergoing a divorce lawsuit in 2023. Amid this, she revealed her relationship with her boyfriend and announced her remarriage.