South Korean Ministry Ordered to Compensate Singer Over Alleged Performance Censorship

A South Korean court has partially acknowledged the state's liability in a case involving the alleged censorship of a singer's performance at a national event. The Ministry of Interior and Safety faced accusations of improperly intervening to cancel singer Lee Rang's song, 'The Wolf Has Appeared,' from the 43rd anniversary commemoration of the May 18th Democratization Movement.

“

The Ministry of Interior and Safety requested the foundation to remove the song from the event.

Lee was scheduled to perform the song, which addresses marginalized figures often labeled as wolves or witches, at the state-sponsored event in Busan in October 2022. Director Kang Sang-woo was invited to be the general producer. The song had previously received critical acclaim, winning the 'Album of the Year' award at the 2022 Korean Music Awards. However, just three weeks before the event, the Ministry of Interior and Safety reportedly requested the organizing foundation to remove the song.

Following the ministry's directive, Lee and Kang withdrew from the event, citing their disagreement with the decision. They subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking 94 million won (approximately $70,000) in damages, arguing that the ministry's demand constituted an unreasonable interference with artistic activities, violating the Artists' Rights Protection Act. Rumors suggested the ministry's concern was that the 'wolf' in the song might symbolize the President (VIP), a claim the artists refuted as a misinterpretation of the song's actual meaning.

“

The ministry's demand constituted an unreasonable interference with artistic activities, violating the Artists' Rights Protection Act.

The Seoul Central District Court ruled that the Ministry of Interior and Safety and the memorial foundation must jointly pay 3 million won (approximately $2,200) in compensation to Lee and Kang. Additionally, the court ordered the event's performance agency to pay 17 million won (approximately $13,000) to the artists for service fees. The court found that the defendants bore responsibility for the damages incurred due to the cancellation, partially accepting the plaintiffs' claims regarding emotional distress and unpaid service fees.

“

The government and the foundation must jointly pay 3 million won to Lee and Kang, and the agency must pay 17 million won.