Lotteria Removes All Ads Featuring Former Captain Lee Geun Amid Sexual Harassment Controversy... "Internal Discussions Ongoing"
On the 13th, all content including former Captain Lee Jeon model Military Burger deleted
Internal discussions ongoing regarding contract matters "Nothing decided yet"
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Sunghye] Lotteria has distanced itself by deleting all advertisements featuring former Navy Special Warfare Command Captain Lee Geun, who has been embroiled in various controversies including sexual harassment issues. Lee is currently the model for Lotteria's 'Military Burger.'
A Lotteria representative stated on the 13th, "We have removed all content related to Lee Geun from YouTube and social networking services (SNS)." Lotteria launched the new meal kit-style Military Burger on the 28th of last month and selected Lee, who gained fame through the YouTube content 'Fake Men,' as the model.
The content featuring him includes the Military Burger advertisement video on Lotteria's official YouTube channel and promotional materials labeled 'Burger Individualism Military Burger.'
Lotteria decided on this course of action, anticipating that the various controversies surrounding Lee could damage the brand's image.
However, regarding the termination of the model contract, they said, "Nothing has been decided." A Lotteria representative explained, "There has been no mutual agreement on contract-related matters," and added, "We are internally discussing the related issues."
Recently, YouTuber Kim Yongho raised suspicions about Lee's false claims regarding his UN-related career and sexual harassment allegations. Lee denied the accusation of falsifying his UN-related career, stating it was "not true," and in the debt controversy, he returned 2 million won to the creditor and apologized.
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Regarding the suspicion of receiving a fine for sexual harassment, he admitted, "I have been punished," but claimed, "Even though evidence proving I did not commit harassment emerged, the victim's consistent testimony became the sole evidence leading to the verdict."
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