Lee Seung-hwan sues Gumi Mayor over concert cancellation

Singer Lee Seung-hwan is officially proceeding with a lawsuit against Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho over the cancellation of his concert venue reservation. The lawsuit will also include concert ticket holders as co-plaintiffs.

Attorney Lim Jae-sung from Haemaru Law Firm, representing Lee, announced on Lee's official website on Saturday, “We are recruiting plaintiffs for a damages lawsuit against Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho, who unilaterally and unjustly canceled the venue contract for Lee Seung-hwan's 35th-anniversary concert ‘Heaven’ scheduled for Wednesday at the Gumi Arts Center's Grand Performance Hall.”

Those wishing to participate can apply from Jan. 3 to 7 via email. Eligible participants are original ticket purchasers, and those who received tickets as gifts or through transfers are excluded.

The lawsuit will demand 100 million won ($67,800) in damages on behalf of Lee Seung-hwan, 500,000 won per person for 100 concertgoers, and additional compensations for economic losses incurred to Dream Factory Club, Lee's agency.

Lee emphasized that the lawsuit was directed at Kim personally for his unjust actions, not the city of Gumi. Attorney Lim wrote, “We sincerely hope that Mayor Kim Jang-ho does not use public funds to respond to this lawsuit or compensate for the damages.”

The singer also pledged to donate the entire compensation amount to the Gumi Youth Orchestra, if he wins the case.

Additionally, Lee announced plans to file a constitutional appeal to ensure that public figures, including entertainers, have the right to make political statements as citizens. In a recent appearance on the YouTube channel Maebulshow on last Thursday, Lee revealed his intent to pursue the appeal while discussing the concert cancellation controversy.

Attorney Lim elaborated, “We aim to confirm through this constitutional appeal that it is unconstitutional for a public official, such as a local government head, to demand an entertainer sign a pledge to refrain from political speech or political agitation before a performance.”

He criticized Kim’s request for Lee to sign such a pledge before the concert was canceled.