Lawsuit for Damages over 'Miss Trot' Concert Cancellation... Uijeongbu City Wins in First Trial

Dispute Over Responsibility Between Concert Organizer and Producer
Stage Structure Collapses, Concert Canceled a Day Before
Court: "Cause of Accident Due to Installation Work Negligence"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] It has been confirmed that the Uijeongbu City government won the first trial in a multi-billion won damages lawsuit against a concert planning company after the stage structure collapsed, leading to the cancellation of the 2020 ‘Miss Trot’ concert.

According to the legal community on the 7th, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 17 (Presiding Judge Kim Seongwon) recently ruled in a damages lawsuit filed by Planning Company A and the Uijeongbu City Facilities Management Corporation against each other, stating that "Company A must pay the corporation approximately 53 million won."

Earlier, Company A obtained permission to use the Uijeongbu Indoor Gymnasium for four days starting January 3, 2020, to hold the ‘Tomorrow is Miss Trot National Tour Youth Concert.’ At that time, due to the nationwide popularity of the Miss Trot TV program, ticket sales recorded total revenue of 340 million won and quickly sold out. The main performers, including Song Ga-in, Jung Mi-ae, Hong Ja, and Jung Da-kyung, were also scheduled to appear.

However, the concert was canceled the day before the performance. This was due to an accident in which part of the stage structure being installed in the gymnasium fell onto the seats two days before the concert.

Company A and the Uijeongbu City side each claimed the other was responsible for the accident. Company A argued, "The gymnasium floor, which was not properly maintained or repaired, could not withstand the load of the stage equipment, leading to the accident," and demanded compensation of 250 million won, which included ticket sales cancellation fees, structure installation and removal costs, rental fees, and equipment damage costs.

On the other hand, the Uijeongbu City side pointed out that the accident occurred because Company A failed to properly balance the large LED screen installed on top of the structure. They countered that Company A should pay 100 million won for floor repair costs and other expenses.

The court ruled in favor of Uijeongbu City, stating, "It is difficult to see that the accident occurred due to defects in the sports facility or negligence in the corporation’s management duties." The court judged that the accident was more likely caused by operational negligence during the installation of the LED screen by Company A rather than the aging gymnasium floor.

The court stated, "Company A is obligated to pay the corporation a total of approximately 22 million won for repair costs, lost concert revenue, facility usage fees, and other amounts." However, since only 140 out of the total 2,600 seats were damaged in the accident, the lost revenue was calculated at about 27 million won, which is lower than the amount claimed by Uijeongbu City.

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