Actor Hwang Jung-min has objected to a court-ordered mediation decision in a damages lawsuit filed by a woman, identified as A, who has made allegations about his private life, meaning the case will now proceed to a formal trial.

According to legal sources on August 19, Hwang's side submitted an objection to the compulsory mediation decision to the Seoul Central District Court the previous day.

Compulsory mediation is a procedure in which a court determines how to resolve a dispute between the two parties. If either the plaintiff or defendant objects, the mediation decision becomes void, and the case proceeds to a formal trial.

A previously filed a lawsuit in February seeking 200 million won in damages, claiming that she had not been paid for her work on a soju development project and for writing a novel, which caused her emotional distress.

The court held a mediation hearing on August 14, but neither party attended, prompting the court to issue a compulsory mediation decision.
Recently, A has claimed through social media and other channels that she had a personal relationship with Hwang, sharing recordings of phone calls and messages.

She also claimed that Hwang proposed a soju brand business, for which she handled the related work, and that he encouraged her to write a novel, which she subsequently did.

Meanwhile, A is also facing a separate criminal trial after being indicted on charges of stalking Hwang.

At the final hearing held on August 11 before the 4th Criminal Division of the Goyang Branch of the Uijeongbu District Court, prosecutors sought a fine of 10 million won for A. A has denied the charges, and the court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on September 8.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)