Lee Seung-hwan has completely refuted the op-ed by Kim Jang-ho, the mayor of Gumi, which cited 'safety issues' as the reason for canceling Lee Seung-hwan's concert.
On the 26th, Lee Seung-hwan posted a lengthy rebuttal on his social media, stating that the reason for the cancellation of the Gumi concert was not 'safety', in response to Kim Jang-ho's op-ed titled 'Citizen safety should come before freedom of expression.'
Lee Seung-hwan revealed that regarding the 'safety' that Mayor Kim has consistently claimed, “Our security team (the security team office is located within the Dream Factory building, allowing for constant communication) has been in continuous communication with the Gumi Police Department's Crime Prevention Division (hereafter 'Gumi Police') since December 20, when we became aware of the anti-concert rally in the Gumi area.”
He continued, “The security team first contacted the Gumi Police at 14:19 on December 20 to report the need for audience protection. Subsequently, the Gumi Police confirmed to the security team that 'the security personnel would be dispatched to the site and remain there' to maintain order.” He explained, “However, just 23 minutes later, at 10:39 on December 23, the Gumi Police suddenly contacted the security team, saying, 'The article states that the concert has been canceled, so please confirm.'”
Lee Seung-hwan also stated, “We requested concert attendees through social media and fan cafes to maintain a physical distance from the anti-concert rally and to refrain from any actions that could provoke the rally participants.” He added, “We notified the Gumi City Cultural Arts Center, the concert venue, around 14:00 on December 22 that we would deploy more security personnel than usual to ensure safety inside and outside the venue. Immediately after this notification, we also requested, 'If you could mark the location of the currently reported rally on a map and send it to us, we will inform the audience to avoid that location or maintain distance during their movement.' We did not receive a response to this request.”
“In fact, we were the ones who were genuinely concerned about 'safety,'” emphasized Lee Seung-hwan. “Ultimately, safety is an excuse, and the core issue seems to be the refusal to sign a pledge not to make statements that could lead to political misunderstandings. In other words, this incident was caused by a violation of the democratic value of 'freedom of expression' and the political neutrality obligation of a public official, the mayor.” He pointedly stated, “Let's talk facts, everyone.”
The Gumi City government unilaterally canceled the venue reservation for Lee Seung-hwan's 35th anniversary concert, which was scheduled to be held at the Gumi City Cultural Arts Center on the 25th, citing concerns for citizen safety and the refusal to sign a pledge against political agitation. In this process, Mayor Kim also stated, “I am not questioning Mr. Lee Seung-hwan's personal political inclinations,” and added, “Considering that Mr. Lee is 60 years old, shouldn't we think about the potential for political misunderstandings and division among citizens if there are nationwide performances?”
In response, Lee Seung-hwan expressed, “I regret the unilateral decision by the Gumi City government to cancel the concert venue reservation. I plan to take legal action against the Gumi City government promptly,” and stated, “The legal and economic responsibilities arising from this unilateral and unjust cancellation decision should not be borne by the taxes of Gumi City, but by those who participated in this decision.”
Meanwhile, born in 1965, Lee Seung-hwan is 59 years old this year, while Mayor Kim, born in 1969, is 55 years old, making him 4 years younger than Lee Seung-hwan.
The reason for the cancellation of the Gumi concert is not 'safety'
1. Our security team (the security team office is located within the Dream Factory building, allowing for constant communication) has been in continuous communication with the Gumi Police Department's Crime Prevention Division (hereafter 'Gumi Police') since December 20, when we became aware of the anti-concert rally in the Gumi area.
The security team first contacted the Gumi Police at 14:19 on December 20 to report the need for audience protection. Subsequently, the Gumi Police confirmed to the security team that 'the security personnel would be dispatched to the site and remain there' to maintain order. The security team then contacted the Gumi Police at 10:16 on December 23 to confirm the location of the reported anti-rally (to notify concert attendees to avoid that location), and at that time, the Gumi Police only agreed to respond once they had confirmation.
However, just 23 minutes later, at 10:39 on December 23, the Gumi Police suddenly contacted the security team, saying, 'The article states that the concert has been canceled, so please confirm.' The rest is known to everyone.
2. We requested concert attendees through social media and fan cafes to maintain a physical distance from the anti-concert rally and to refrain from any actions that could provoke the rally participants.
3. Additionally, we notified the Gumi City Cultural Arts Center, the concert venue, around 14:00 on December 22 that we would deploy more security personnel than usual to ensure safety inside and outside the venue. Immediately after this notification, we also requested, 'If you could mark the location of the currently reported rally on a map and send it to us, we will inform the audience to avoid that location or maintain distance during their movement.' We did not receive a response to this request.
4. In fact, we were the ones who were genuinely concerned about 'safety.' Who are we?! Dream Factory!!!!!! WE??DF
Ultimately, safety is an excuse, and the core issue seems to be the refusal to sign a pledge not to make statements that could lead to political misunderstandings. In other words, this incident was caused by a violation of the democratic value of 'freedom of expression' and the political neutrality obligation of a public official, the mayor.
* Let's talk 'facts,' everyone.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
