YG Entertainment's chief producer, Yang Hyun-suk, has expressed his stance following the Supreme Court's guilty verdict.
On the 18th, Yang Hyun-suk released an official statement, saying, "I accept the Supreme Court's decision with a heavy heart but with humility."
He further explained, "Initially, I was acquitted of the 'retaliatory threat' charges in both the first and second trials. However, during the second trial, the prosecution altered the charges to 'coercion of a meeting,' a lesser-known offense, leading to a lengthy legal battle of 5 years and 8 months, culminating in the Supreme Court's final decision."
Yang Hyun-suk added, "I will continue to approach my work with greater caution and responsibility."
The case dates back to August 2016, when trainee Han Seo-hee, who was arrested on drug charges, testified about B.I's drug purchase. Yang was accused of attempting to silence Han through coercion and threats. Initially charged with retaliatory threats under the Special Act on the Punishment of Specific Crimes, Yang was acquitted in the first trial. However, during the second trial, the prosecution added the charge of coercion of a meeting, resulting in a guilty verdict.
On the 18th, the Supreme Court's first division, led by Justice Ma Yong-ju, upheld the lower court's sentence of six months in prison, suspended for one year, for Yang Hyun-suk on charges of coercion of a meeting under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
Reported by Yoo Ye-ji, TenAsia ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr