Actress Song Ha-yoon has broken her silence and expressed her stance on the school bullying allegations. It has been a year.
On the 2nd, Song Ha-yoon's legal representative, the law firm Ji-eum, stated, “Song Ha-yoon has repeatedly clarified that the past school bullying allegations are completely false and has recently filed a criminal complaint against the accuser, securing various evidence to prove this.”
The allegations of school bullying surrounding Song Ha-yoon were triggered in April last year on an online community. An individual claiming to be a high school classmate, referred to as A, posted that they had been assaulted by Song Ha-yoon. In response, Song Ha-yoon's side expressed their innocence, stating, “This is not true,” but the controversy spread rapidly.
According to her legal representative, Song Ha-yoon has filed a complaint against A for defamation and obstruction of business under the Information and Communications Network Act, and has submitted objective evidence such as testimonies from high school classmates, homeroom teachers, and public institution documents to the investigative authorities.
In particular, a classmate identified by A as a witness to the incident reportedly refuted A's claims, stating, “I have never seen such a scene.” This classmate also conveyed the same message to A, but A is said to have proceeded with the broadcast tip-off regardless.
The homeroom teacher also stated, “I have not heard of any transfer due to school bullying,” and several classmates voluntarily submitted statements saying, “Song Ha-yoon is not someone who would harm anyone.”
A is currently residing in the United States and is refusing to comply with police investigation requests. A claims to be a “U.S. citizen” and is refusing to appear, but the police have confirmed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that A still holds South Korean nationality. Consequently, the police issued a notice of designation to A in May and completed the registration in the wanted persons database. An investigation will resume immediately upon A's entry into the country.
Song Ha-yoon's side added, “We are also considering additional legal actions in the U.S. and are preparing civil and criminal responses against third parties involved in the dissemination of false information.”
Currently, Song Ha-yoon's exclusive contract with her previous agency has ended. She is preparing to resume activities with a new agency.
Below is the statement from Song Ha-yoon's side
Hello. This is the law firm Ji-eum, representing actress Song Ha-yoon.
Regarding the school bullying controversy raised about actress Song Ha-yoon from over 20 years ago, she has clarified since then that the allegations are not true. However, proving something that did not happen is extremely difficult, and as a result, she could not respond actively.
During this time, actress Song Ha-yoon has been working to collect evidence to prove that the claims made by the initial accuser, Mr. O, are false, and as a result, she has gathered multiple pieces of evidence. Based on this, she has filed a criminal complaint against Mr. O.
Our law firm is speaking on behalf of the actress to inform you of the recent actions taken by her and the status of the investigation, while also officially stating the actress's position on the controversy. Additionally, we will inform you of recent changes regarding the actress's personal circumstances and future activity plans. For more details, please refer to the statement below.
Actress Song Ha-yoon has filed a criminal complaint against the initial accuser, Mr. O, for violations of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation) and obstruction of business by deception.
The police confirmed the necessity of investigating Mr. O's acts of defamation and intended to proceed with the investigation; however, Mr. O has been residing in the United States and claims to be a U.S. citizen, continuously refusing to cooperate with the investigation. Consequently, the police confirmed through official channels, including the Ministry of Justice, that Mr. O still holds South Korean nationality and proceeded with the investigation, but Mr. O has refused to enter Korea and continues to evade the investigation.
The police issued a **‘notice of designation’** for Mr. O around May due to his failure to respond to the investigation agency's request without justifiable reasons and registered him in the wanted persons list in the police database. Therefore, if Mr. O enters the country, the fact will be immediately reported to the police, and the investigation will resume promptly.
Currently, actress Song Ha-yoon is reviewing additional legal actions that can be taken in the U.S. and is preparing to hold third parties involved in the dissemination of false information accountable, both civilly and criminally, in collaboration with her legal representative.
Actress Song Ha-yoon has never committed any violence against Mr. O during their high school years, nor has she ever been forcibly transferred due to school bullying. She has submitted public institution documents and notarized statements to the investigative authorities that reveal these claims to be false.
Actress Song Ha-yoon has confirmed with a high school classmate, whom Mr. O identified as a witness to the alleged assault, that no such assault occurred. This classmate clearly stated to Mr. O that they had never witnessed such an incident; however, Mr. O is reported to have misrepresented this classmate as a witness and proceeded with the broadcast tip-off. Additionally, she has contacted her homeroom teacher from high school, who confirmed that the claim of Song Ha-yoon being forcibly transferred due to school bullying is completely unfounded, and several classmates have also stepped forward to state, “If anything, she would be the one to be victimized, not someone who would harm others.”
Actress Song Ha-yoon has suffered significant damage and extreme mental distress due to illegal acts that seriously tarnished her reputation built over 22 years. She asks for your understanding regarding the time it took to convey her position, as she believed that revealing the truth through an objective investigation was more important than a hasty explanation.
Actress Song Ha-yoon sincerely apologizes for causing concern to those who have believed in and supported her. With the expiration of her contract with her previous agency, she is preparing to stand before the public again with a new mindset in a new environment. She will strive to repay with a more humble attitude and a mature appearance.
