Shocking crackdown: Individuals who spread malicious rumors about singer-actress IU have been hit with criminal and civil penalties, EDAM Entertainment announced on the 11th.
EDAM Entertainment released an official statement detailing the outcomes of recent criminal complaints and civil lawsuits.
According to IU's label, EDAM Entertainment pursued criminal and civil action last year against a total of 96 people for defamation, insult, spreading false information, and malicious slander. The courts handed down seven fines, one order to complete a sex-crime treatment program, three suspended indictments conditional on education, and one suspended prison sentence with probation.
In a particularly divisive case, the court fined one individual 5 million KRW for spreading a baseless "spy" conspiracy about IU. In a separate lawsuit seeking damages for emotional distress against a user who raised false plagiarism allegations on X, the court awarded the full amount of 30 million KRW.
Another offender who repeatedly spread false rumors and posted sexually harassing content on portal sites such as Naver received a 10-month prison sentence suspended for two years, along with probation. A case involving defamatory and false content spread via YouTube is also currently under investigation.
Additionally, individuals who went near IU's residence and her family's home to commit unlawful acts were booked by police. EDAM Entertainment stated it will take strong legal action without any leniency against all behavior that threatens IU's safety, and asked fans for their continued cooperation.