Court Orders Kim Chang-hwan, Chairman of The East Light, and Agency to Pay 70 Million Won for Abuse Case

On October 26, 2018, Lee Seok-cheol (left) and Lee Seung-hyun, brothers from The East Light, appeared at Bangbae Police Station in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, to undergo complainant investigation and responded to reporters' questions. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] A ruling has been made recognizing the liability for damages of the entertainment agency CEO and PD who were found guilty of habitual abuse or neglect of abuse against members of the teenage boy band 'The East Light.'

According to the legal community on the 21st, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 18 (Presiding Judge Shim Jae-nam) ruled partially in favor of the plaintiffs in a damages lawsuit filed by The East Light members Lee Seok-cheol (20) and Lee Seung-hyun (19) brothers and their parents against Media Line Entertainment, its chairman Kim Chang-hwan, and PD Moon.

The court ordered Chairman Kim and others to pay approximately 25 million won each to the two brothers and about 10 million won each to the two parents, totaling around 70 million won.

The court recognized their liability for damages based on the fact that the abuse by Chairman Kim and PD Moon was confirmed through a final guilty verdict in a prior criminal trial.

However, the court stated that it considered some charges being dismissed during the investigation process and the fact that PD Moon deposited 50 million won as factors in sentencing.

PD Moon was prosecuted for habitual child abuse for repeatedly assaulting Lee Seok-cheol and Lee Seung-hyun over about three years starting in 2015 and received a confirmed prison sentence of 1 year and 4 months.

Chairman Kim was prosecuted for child abuse and neglect of abuse for knowing about PD Moon’s assaults but turning a blind eye and harassing Lee Seung-hyun, and in March, the Supreme Court confirmed a sentence of 8 months imprisonment with a 2-year probation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.