[Yonhap Photo]
KONNECT Entertainment, the 22-year-old's agency, said in a statement uploaded onto the company's website on Monday that legal actions taken against cyberbullies in September are at the final stage of an investigation. The company said that it has compiled data submitted by fans to categorize habitual and malicious online posts for a police investigation.
"We have also filed extra complaints today (December 16) with additional data. The case will be transferred to each jurisdiction in the same order as the first case and we will strongly respond without mercy," KONNECT said, thanking fans for collecting related data.
Kang suspended all public activities in early December due to depression and panic disorder caused by constant cyberbullying. KONNECT said earlier that the singer was not capable of carrying out promotions for his new single album "TOUCHIN" because of extreme anxiety.
Kang stepped into the spotlight when he successfully ended his career as Wanna One member in January this year. However, he was locked in a legal dispute with his former agency, LM Entertainment. Kang and LM came to a settlement in September and agreed to cancel lawsuits against each other. During the legal dispute, Kang became the target of cyberbullying.
Various forms of cyberbullying such as online hate comments against celebrities have long been a social problem in South Korea. Some entertainers have committed suicide due to depression aggravated by malicious online comments. The suicide of Choi Jin-ri, known by her stage name Sulli, and Goo Ha-ra, known by her stage name Hara, sent shockwaves through South Korea's entertainment industry and society. Many have called for strong punishment against cyberbullying.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
