Byeon Woo-seok's private security guard has been fined around 1 million Korean won (about $720 USD) for excessive force used against a fan in an altercation that was met with public outrage earlier this year.
The Seoul Central District Court, as reported by India Forums, convicted the security guard of assault and handed down the fine, along with a strict warning to Byeon for his responsibility of supervision.
The judge accepted that the security guard overacted while attempting to deal with fans surrounding the actor. "Even though the defendant was trying to perform his duties, the force used was more than necessary," the judge ruled, according to the outlet.
Besides, the judge also directly spoke to Byeon Woo-seok, telling him that as a celebrity, he must make his employees act in a proper manner when dealing with fans.
In court, Byeon seemed to accept the scolding graciously, expressing regret over the incident.
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As reported by SPOTV News, Byeon apologized in person in court and vowed to avoid such incidents in the future.
"I sincerely apologize for the incident and for any distress caused to fans," he expressed. "I will take greater responsibility for the actions of my staff."
The controversy in question surfaced during Byeon's visit to a foreign fan meeting, where his bodyguard was spotted shoving fans on camera.
The incident went viral on the internet, and the actor's crew faced online criticism for abusive handling of fans.
Legal experts pointed out that though the fine was modest, the judge's stern verbal warning was very heavy, emphasizing responsibility in the entertainment industry.
"Celebrities must maintain control over their security staff, especially during public events," one attorney said in an interview.
Byeon Woo-seok, who enjoyed huge popularity following the success of the hit drama "Lovely Runner," remains busy with an active schedule despite the controversy. His agency has since announced that internal training will be used to avoid such problems in the future.
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