Kang Byung-kyu to sue "Iris" producer

The scandal surrounding actor Lee Byung-hun escalated to a new level this week as baseball player-turned-TV personality Kang Byung-kyu said he will sue the head of the production company of hit TV series "Iris" for assault and blackmail.

Kang, 37, spoke in front of reporters on Monday, stating that he will file a complaint against the chief of Taewon Entertainment, identified by his last name Chung, for calling in a mob to beat him on set of "Iris" last week.

Kang had received investigation earlier in the day for the same accusations -- he had allegedly hired gangsters who caused disturbance on set the same day.

Kang explained that he had visited the set on December 14 in an attempt to resolve the misunderstanding between him and Chung, who he claimed spread false rumor that he was behind the feud between Lee and his ex-girlfriend identified by her last name Kwon.

Kwon, a Korean-Canadian, recently sued Hallyu star Lee Byung-hun for allegedly alluring her into a sexual relationship on false promises of marriage while Lee in turn filed a complaint against Kwon for defamation.

Kwon has been questioned by the Korean authorities regarding her accusations and Lee is expected to appear at the prosecutors office this week.

Kang had received a suspended jail term in February for habitually gambling through online gambling sites.

Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr