Jo Byeong-Kyu's Legal Battle Over School Violence Allegations Continues
Ongoing Legal Issues for Jo Byeong-Kyu
Actor Jo Byeong-Kyu is still entangled in a lengthy legal dispute regarding allegations of school violence, which has proven to be more protracted than anticipated. The star of The Uncanny Counter is preparing to return to court after an unfavorable outcome in his initial damages lawsuit against an individual who accused him of such misconduct. Recent updates indicate that the Seoul High Court has scheduled the first appeal hearing for August 28, where both parties will present their cases. Jo has consistently refuted the allegations and asserts his innocence.
Upcoming Hearing Set for August
As reported by Korean media, the Seoul High Court Civil Division 13-3 has confirmed August 28 as the date for the initial appeal hearing in Jo Byeong-Kyu's lawsuit against a former schoolmate who alleged he engaged in school violence while studying in New Zealand. This appeal follows a setback for Jo in the original lawsuit, where the claimed damages were significantly reduced from around 4 billion won to approximately 900 million won. Notably, Jo's previous agency, HB Entertainment, is no longer part of the plaintiffs. The forthcoming hearing will determine if there are grounds to overturn the initial ruling and reassess the damages claim.
Background of the Lawsuit
Jo Byeong-Kyu initiated the lawsuit after facing bullying allegations online in 2021. The accuser claimed that the actor had committed acts of violence during his time in school in New Zealand. Jo vehemently denied these claims and sought legal recourse, arguing that false information had been disseminated about him. His legal representatives contended that the allegations resulted in substantial financial and professional harm, including damage to his reputation, loss of advertising contracts, and cancellations of television appearances.
Court's Initial Ruling
The actor's team sought around 4 billion won in damages, asserting that the accusations were unfounded and had severely affected his career. However, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 37 ruled against Jo in the first trial, dismissing his claims and ordering him to cover the litigation costs. The court found that the evidence provided by Jo's side was inadequate to conclusively disprove the allegations. It reviewed over 20 affidavits from acquaintances and supporters but concluded that these testimonies did not sufficiently verify the events that allegedly took place in New Zealand. Furthermore, the court noted that those who studied with Jo in New Zealand had close personal ties to him, which diminished the reliability of their statements as independent evidence.
Accuser's Actions and Jo's Response
The ruling also addressed the accuser's choice to delete the original online post, suggesting that the deletion was driven by concerns over potential legal repercussions and a significant damages lawsuit rather than an acknowledgment of the claims' falsity. Despite consistently denying the allegations, Jo Byeong-Kyu withdrew from several broadcasts and entertainment programs during the peak of the controversy. After a hiatus of over two years from major projects, he made a comeback in 2023 with the sequel to The Uncanny Counter, titled Amazing Rumour 2. During the drama's online production presentation, Jo commented on the controversy, stating, "Though cautious, I did my best to prove my innocence, and I'm still doing so." Since then, he has continued to work on various projects, including Again 1997 and Boy.