By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

Actor Song Il-kook, 37, filed a 2 billion won libel suit against a reporter who alleged that he hit her, and an Internet news company that first reported the story.

A freelance writer, who mainly contributes to a monthly ladies' magazine sued Song first, Jan. 24. She insisted that Song hit her with his elbow when she approached him, without an appointment, for an interview in front of his house. Although she acknowledged that he didn't seem to have intended to push her, she said that she sustained an injury, which will take six months to heal completely. She has requested an apology from the actor.

Song, however, denied hitting or having any physical contact with her and claimed that she defamed him. Song said ``I will not compromise on this…I pledge my career as an actor on it'' at his Internet fan club. ``I think the worst man is a man who hits a woman. Had I pushed her, even unknowingly or unintentionally, I would have apologized to her. But I didn't even touch her,'' he said.

Lee Jae-man, Song's attorney, filed a 500 million won libel suit against the reporter, and 1.5 billion won against the news company, Jan. 31.

``We sued them for 2 billion won to symbolize the enormous damage Song suffered. For the Internet news company which first reported the story, we want more because they created a bigger ripple effect.''

They also said that they would donate all money for the Taean oil spill if they win the suit.

Song, the son of actress Kim Eul-dong, is known for his portrayal of Jumong in the drama ``The Prince of Legend'' and appeared in the SBS soap opera ``Lobbyist'' last year. He will tie the knot with a student attending the Legal Training and Research Institute in the first half of the year.

meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr