Balloon Billion Lawsuit Loss
- INCHEON, South Korea – YouTuber and BJ Cheol-gu, also known as Lee Ye-joon, has lost a lawsuit against individuals who criticized him for tax evasion.
- Judge Park Jin-young of the incheon District civil Court ruled against Cheol-gu's claim against eight commenters, ordering him to pay the costs of litigation.
- The National Tax Service reported Cheol-gu's total arrears at 363 million won, with a payment deadline of Aug. 31, 2019.
YouTuber Cheol-gu Loses Lawsuit Over Tax evasion Criticism
INCHEON, South Korea – YouTuber and BJ Cheol-gu, also known as Lee Ye-joon, has lost a lawsuit against individuals who criticized him for tax evasion. Cheol-gu, who boasts 1.23 million subscribers, was previously listed as a “high-priced delinquent” with 363 million won in unpaid taxes.
Court Dismisses Defamation Claim
Judge Park Jin-young of the incheon District civil Court ruled against Cheol-gu’s claim against eight commenters, ordering him to pay the costs of litigation. The lawsuit stemmed from comments made after Cheol-gu was named on the National Tax Service’s list of high-end delinquents in December 2022.
Background: Tax Delinquency
The National Tax Service reported Cheol-gu’s total arrears at 363 million won, with a payment deadline of Aug. 31, 2019. The arrears included seven cases,primarily extensive income tax from 2018.
Cheol-gu’s Response and Subsequent Legal Action
Following the controversy, Cheol-gu addressed the issue on his African TV broadcast, stating, “I’m sorry.” He claimed to be communicating with tax officials and diligently paying his dues, reporting monthly payments exceeding 25 million won since December 2021.
However, Cheol-gu later filed a lawsuit against commenters who posted critical remarks on articles related to his tax evasion. The comments in question included phrases such as “The guy who earns a lot of money is a bad guy” and other disparaging remarks.
Arguments and Court’s Reasoning
During the trial,Cheol-gu argued that the comments insulted him and defamed his honor.However, the court rejected this argument, stating that expressing critical opinions is not illegal unless there are remarkable circumstances.
The court further reasoned that because the articles concerned Cheol-gu’s tax evasion, the comments should not be easily construed as illegal acts of insult, considering the context of the situation. The court also noted Cheol-gu’s important social influence as a popular BJ with over 1 million subscribers.
The court concluded that the comments appeared to be accusations stemming from Cheol-gu’s substantial tax evasion.
Ruling Confirmed
The ruling has been confirmed, with cheol-gu not appealing the initial judgment.
Continued Success Despite Controversy
Despite the tax issues and legal setback, Cheol-gu continues to be a successful online personality. Last month, he ranked No. 1 in SOOP BJ Star Balloons.His revenue for March totaled 49.6215 million won. After deducting a 20% commission, his actual revenue is estimated at 39.6972 million won. Cheol-gu also maintains a YouTube channel with 1.24 million subscribers.
YouTuber Cheol-gu Loses Lawsuit Over Tax Evasion Criticism: Questions & Answers
Who is Cheol-gu?
Cheol-gu, also known as lee Ye-joon, is a YouTuber and BJ (Broadcast Jockey) with 1.23 million subscribers. The provided article focuses on a lawsuit he lost related to criticism about his tax evasion.
What was the lawsuit about?
Cheol-gu sued eight commenters who criticized him for tax evasion. The comments were posted on articles related to his tax issues, and he claimed they defamed him.
What were the comments that led to the lawsuit?
The comments included phrases such as “The guy who earns a lot of money is a bad guy” and other disparaging remarks.
What was Cheol-gu’s tax delinquency situation?
Cheol-gu was listed as a “high-priced delinquent” by the National Tax Service. His total arrears were 363 million won,with a payment deadline of august 31,2019.These arrears included seven cases, primarily extensive income tax from 2018.
What was the court’s ruling?
The court dismissed Cheol-gu’s defamation claim, ruling against him and ordering him to pay the costs of litigation. Judge Park Jin-young of the Incheon District Civil Court made the ruling.
Why did the court dismiss the defamation claim?
The court reasoned that critical opinions are not illegal unless there are remarkable circumstances. As the comments related to Cheol-gu’s tax evasion, and considering he’s a popular BJ with a large social following, the court did not find the comments to be illegal insults. the court viewed the comments as accusations stemming from his tax evasion.
Did Cheol-gu appeal the court’s decision?
No, the ruling has been confirmed, as Cheol-gu did not appeal the initial judgment.
What was Cheol-gu’s response to the tax evasion controversy?
Cheol-gu addressed the issue on his African TV broadcast, stating, “I’m sorry.” He claimed he was communicating with tax officials and diligently paying his dues, stating he was making monthly payments exceeding 25 million won since December 2021.
Is Cheol-gu still triumphant despite the controversy?
Yes, despite the tax issues and legal setback, Cheol-gu continues to be a successful online personality. He ranked No. 1 in SOOP BJ star Balloons in the month before the article’s publishing.He also maintains a YouTube channel with 1.24 million subscribers.
What was Cheol-gu’s revenue in March (before the article was written)?
His revenue for March totaled 49.6215 million won. After deducting a 20% commission,his actual revenue is estimated at 39.6972 million won.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Cheol-gu (Lee Ye-joon) |
| Profession | YouTuber and BJ |
| Subscribers (YouTube) | 1.24 million |
| Tax Arrears | 363 million won (as of reporting) |
| Lawsuit Outcome | lost defamation claim |
| Court’s Reasoning | Critical opinions not illegal; context of tax evasion |