Lee Min-woo awarded 2.45 billion won in damages from fraud case

A South Korean court has ordered a broadcast writer to pay approximately 2.45 billion won in damages to Lee Min-woo, a member of the group Shinhwa, following a massive fraud scheme.

In 2019, the writer, identified as A, allegedly deceived Lee by claiming to have connections within the prosecution that could ensure a non-indictment regarding sexual harassment allegations. Over the course of a year, A extorted funds under various pretexts, including costs to influence high-ranking prosecutors and prevent internal inspections. Even after Lee received a non-indictment, A continued the deception by claiming prosecutors might reverse their decision.

While A was previously sentenced to seven years in prison and ordered to forfeit the fraudulent gains in a criminal trial, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the civil damages are distinct from criminal forfeitures. The court noted that criminal forfeiture serves as a sanction to strip criminals of illicit gains, whereas civil damages are intended to compensate the victim for their losses. Both parties have appealed the ruling, and the case is currently pending in the Seoul High Court.