Actor Hwang Jung-min is set to undergo a formal trial after objecting to the court's forced arbitration decision in a damage lawsuit with a woman in her 40s who raised suspicions about his private life.

According to legal circles today (August 19), Hwang's legal representative submitted an objection to the forced arbitration to the Seoul Central District Court the previous day.

Forced arbitration is a procedure where the court issues a decision in lieu of mediation by its authority. If either the plaintiff or the defendant files an objection, formal trial proceedings take place.

In February, a woman in her 40s, identified as A, filed a damage lawsuit claiming she suffered mental distress and did not receive compensation from Hwang related to a soju development project and novel writing.

The claim amount is 200 million won.

On August 14, the court held a mediation session, but because neither side attended, it issued a forced arbitration decision.

A recently claimed through her social networking service (SNS) and other channels that she had a private relationship with Hwang, releasing phone recordings and messages.

She also claimed that Hwang proposed a soju brand business for her to handle practical work, and also encouraged her to write a novel.

Meanwhile, A is currently on trial indicted on charges of stalking Hwang.

(Photo: Yonhap News)