"It's true animal abuse" KBS' 'Taejong Yi Bangwon' production team sentenced to a fine of 10 million won

The production team of the KBS1 drama 'Taejong Lee Bang-won', which caused controversy due to controversy over horse abuse, was sentenced to a fine of 10 million won in the first trial.

On the 17th, Judge Jeon Beom-sik of the 8th Criminal Division of the Seoul Southern District Court sentenced KBS PD Mr. Kim, martial arts director Mr. Hong, and horse owner and drama equestrian team leader Mr. Lee, who were brought to trial on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act, to a fine of 10 million won each. KBS was sentenced to a fine of 5 million won.

They are accused of intentionally causing the horse to fall by tying a rope to the horse's front leg in order to film the horse falling scene vividly during the filming of the drama in November 2021, and failing to provide proper treatment afterwards.

Accordingly, animal rights protection groups reported the production team of 'Taejong Lee Bang-won' to the police in January 2022 on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act, and the police investigated the case and forwarded it to the prosecution. In July of last year, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office indicted three people, including Mr. Kim, without detention for violating the Animal Protection Act, and applied the dual punishment provision to indict KBS as well.

The court said, “The horse was running fast without knowing of the existence of the rope, fell forward and suffered a significant physical impact,” and “Considering the pain and stress the horse suffered as a result, the defendants’ actions constitute an act of abuse under the Animal Protection Act.” He said.

He continued, "The defendants argued that ropes were the safest method compared to other methods such as electric shock, but other methods such as filming a stuntman falling from a horse or using models or computer graphics could have been used without causing the horse to fall."

However, he explained the reason for the sentencing, saying, "The defendants followed the customary method of filming and acknowledged the basic facts," and "We also took into consideration the fact that KBS subsequently established and implemented animal-related production guidelines."

Previously, on November 2, 2021, the production team of 'Taejong Lee Bang-won' put a noose on the horse's hind feet and made it run at full speed to film the falling horse scene. The horse's neck was broken by the tight noose and it fell to the ground, and the actor on the horse flew far away. The horse kicked its hind feet and stopped moving without being able to get up. The horse died five days after filming.

This fact was made known by the Animal Freedom Alliance, and a boycott and a national petition requesting the drama's abolition emerged, and 'Taejong Lee Bang-won' took a six-week break.

Taeyuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr