Singer Lee Seung-gi's side has announced a strong legal response against Cha Ga-won and her husband after they allegedly failed to fulfill their promise to return a jeonse deposit worth 10.5 billion won (approximately USD 7.7 million).
Lee's legal representatives, attorneys Yoon Yong-seok and Jang Jae-won of law firm Hyunmyung, released an official statement on the 6th, stating, "Cha Ga-won's legal representatives recently stated in court that 'there would be no issue with the return of the jeonse deposit,' and only a few days ago informed the artist's side that there would be no problems regarding the repayment. However, on this day, Cha Ga-won's husband attempted to evade responsibility by claiming that 'the return of the deposit is impossible due to the absence of Cha Ga-won, who is the contractual party.'"
The previous day, Cha Ga-won's side reportedly promised to return the jeonse deposit, and Lee Seung-gi and his wife had already arranged for a moving company in preparation for their relocation. However, Cha's side ultimately failed to make the promised payment, causing the move to be canceled.
Lee's representatives emphasized that the failure to return the jeonse deposit should not be viewed as a simple civil breach of contract. They claimed, "Even before the jeonse agreement was signed—and at a time when the artist had not even been considering entering into such an agreement—Cha Ga-won's side appears to have already been preparing to secure a jeonse loan under the artist's name."
They continued, "After selling the property in question to Hyorim Industries for around 7 billion won, they suddenly canceled the sales contract and allegedly concealed this fact while attempting to enter into a jeonse agreement with an artist affiliated with their agency for an amount higher than the previous sale price. They carried out an appraisal under the title of 'Lee Tae-min collateral property' and ultimately proceeded with an appraisal under the title of 'Lee Seung-gi collateral property.'"
They further claimed, "It appears that they were aware that a loan of approximately 7.3 billion won would be approved even before the loan review process and prepared the jeonse agreement accordingly. After receiving the jeonse deposit, Cha Ga-won and her husband acquired ownership of the high-value property from the trust company."
Lee's legal representatives also targeted those they described as accomplices. They stated, "Although Cha Ga-won has been detained, those who assisted her continue to enjoy a lavish lifestyle using proceeds from her alleged crimes without showing any remorse."
They added, "Looking solely at the jeonse contract issue, multiple parties—including Cha Ga-won's husband, the real estate broker, and individuals involved in the loan and appraisal processes—appear to have worked together systematically, each carrying out their respective roles."
They also criticized the conduct of Cha Ga-won's legal counsel. Lee's representatives stated, "Cha's legal counsel has repeatedly emphasized publicly through YouTube videos that there are no secrets between them and their client, even saying, 'The client should be thoroughly investigated,' and 'I am defending Chairman Cha Ga-won while practically restraining her myself.' The legal representatives can no longer ignore the alleged repeated false statements surrounding Cha Ga-won."
The lawyer in question had previously stated that they would "quit practicing law if Cha Ga-won were arrested."
The jeonse deposit for the luxury villa in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where Lee Seung-gi currently resides, amounts to 10.5 billion won, of which approximately 7.3 billion won was financed through a bank loan. The villa was seized by the National Tax Service earlier this year due to Cha Ga-won's unpaid taxes.
Lee had planned to move to a newly constructed building in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, after the expiration of his jeonse contract. However, his move was delayed after the construction company exercised a lien over the property. Lee has since applied for a provisional disposition for the delivery of the building and is awaiting the court's decision.
Lee's legal representatives stated, "The artist will continue to do his utmost in his entertainment activities while seeking strict punishment for Cha Ga-won's side to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future."
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)
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