Singer Lee Seung-hwan slams Gumi mayor over concert cancellation appeal, calls mayor's TV debate claims 'lies'

Singer Lee Seung-hwan has strongly criticized the city of Gumi and its mayor, Kim Jang-ho, for appealing a court ruling that ordered the city to pay damages over the cancellation of his concert. Lee accused the mayor of hiding behind the city government and using taxpayer money to fund a "lie."

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The demand for a contract is unlawful, the concert cancellation is unlawful, and the irresponsibility of not taking safety measures is also unlawful.

In a social media post, Lee summarized the initial ruling, stating that the demand for a contract, the concert cancellation, and the lack of safety measures were all unlawful. He asserted that the mayor's "cowardly" actions led to the appeal, which he believes will increase the compensation amount due to interest on delayed payments.

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Cowardly (Kim) Jang-ho eventually hid behind Gumi City.

The dispute began when Gumi City canceled Lee's 35th-anniversary concert, "Heaven," scheduled for December 25, 2024, just two days before the event. The Seoul Central District Court ruled on May 8 that Gumi City must pay 35 million won to Lee, 75 million won to his agency, Dream Factory, and 150,000 won to 100 ticket holders. However, the court did not hold Mayor Kim personally liable.

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The delay interest rate applied to the delay of damages is 12% per year. Gumi's tax money is being used as the price for lies. I feel it's all a waste.

Lee's legal representatives have appealed the decision, seeking to hold Mayor Kim personally accountable within the scope of the city's liability. They argue that the case could set a precedent for how to hold individual decision-makers responsible when public power infringes on freedom of expression. The city's appeal means the legal battle over the concert cancellation will continue.

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The lies told in the TV debate will all be applied unfavorably in court, and I believe the compensation amount will also increase.