Korean Supreme Court Dismisses Lee Seung-hwan's Constitutional Appeal

The Constitutional Court of Korea has dismissed singer Lee Seung-hwan's constitutional appeal against Lee Jang-ho, the mayor of Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, regarding a controversial requirement for a concert venue rental. The court ruled on March 25 that there was no 'interest in protecting rights' in this case.

The dispute began when Gumi City canceled Lee Seung-hwan's concert, scheduled for December 25 of last year, just two days before the event. This cancellation followed Lee's comments at a previous concert where he expressed approval of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol, stating, 'It feels good that impeachment has happened. It seems like the world will be easier from now on.' In response, local civic groups announced plans to protest the concert.

Gumi City then demanded that Lee sign a pledge agreeing not to engage in 'political incitement or misleading speech.' When Lee refused, the city cited concerns for the safety of citizens and audiences, claiming that unpredictable physical confrontations could occur, leading to the cancellation of the venue rental.

Lee argued that the city's demand for a pledge violated his freedoms of conscience, expression, and artistic freedom, prompting him to file a constitutional appeal. However, the Constitutional Court concluded that since the city's demand had ended, there was no longer any interest in protecting rights, leading to the dismissal of the case at the preliminary review stage.