- T-ARA member Lee Areum was sentenced to eight months in prison.
- She was found guilty of child abuse and defamation.
- She must also complete 40 hours of child abuse prevention lectures.
On January 17, the Suwon District Court’s Ansan Branch Criminal Division 9 revealed that former T-ARA member Lee Ahreum, 31, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, after being found guilty of child abuse and defamation. Areum, who admitted to the charges, must also complete 40 hours of child abuse prevention lectures.
The court found her guilty of verbally abusing her former spouse in front of her two children and defaming an online netizen, “A,” who had shared court documents regarding her current husband. On the child abuse charge, the court stated, “She admits to all the charges. She should be criticised for causing mental damage to the legal guardian of the victimised child.”
Regarding defamation, the court noted that Areum had falsely accused “A” of manipulating the verdict without verifying facts, concluding, “It was judged that there was an intentional act.”
Areum’s mother was also sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for one year, for neglecting her grandchildren while Areum verbally abused her ex-husband.
This case shocked fans, with one commenting, “If this is true, then she deserves it,” while others called the sentence too lenient: “8 months? That’s too short.”
T-ARA, a second-generation K-pop group, remains controversial due to its past bullying scandals, further adding to the public’s reactions.
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