Song Ha-yoon, accuser trade fresh legal actions over school bullying allegations

Actor Song Ha-yoon is embroiled in growing disputes over school bullying claims. Yonhap

Actor Song Ha-yoon and the individual who first raised allegations of her past school bullying are escalating their legal fight, with each side filing new complaints.

A person identified as A, who claimed to be a victim of Song’s alleged school violence, posted online under the title, “I am the victim of Song Ha-yoon’s bullying and assault.” In the post, A said this was a preview of a fourth statement, which will be released on Monday.

Two days earlier, it was revealed that Song had filed an additional complaint on July 22, accusing A of defamation, obstruction of business by fraud and intimidation. A, who is reportedly residing in the United States, said they plan to return to Korea soon to face police questioning.

In a lengthy online message, A accused Song of abruptly changing her legal strategy. “After 12 months of silence, Song’s side filed a criminal complaint in March. The investigation was suspended in May, but in July she suddenly labeled me a fugitive and suspect, filing an additional complaint for false accusation,” A wrote, pledging to mount a systematic legal defense.

A further argued that documents related to Song’s alleged forced school transfer were not classified as “nonexistent” but withheld for privacy reasons. “That decision administratively acknowledges the documents exist. If no forced transfer occurred, the ruling should have been ‘nonexistent,’” A claimed.

A also said they intend to file countersuits against Song for false accusation, defamation by spreading false information and coercion, as well as against her legal representatives for joint defamation, defamation through publication and breaches of attorney ethics.

Identifying as a U.S. citizen of Korean descent, A insisted the case has drawn official attention. “The U.S. State Department considers my case not merely a private dispute but an issue of constitutional due process violations in both Korea and the United States,” A said.

A added that they had initially sought a peaceful resolution. “Despite Song and her law firm trying to frame me as a criminal and destroy me socially, I even offered them a chance for an honorable exit,” A said. “But instead they ignored my good faith, demanded a false confession and apology, and when I refused, they filed an additional complaint. This is organized retaliation against a whistleblower — essentially social murder.”

Actor Song Ha-yoon / Captured from her Instagram

The dispute stems from A’s appearance on JTBC’s "Spotlight on Cases" in April 2023, where they alleged that as a second-year high school student, they were slapped repeatedly for 90 minutes by a senior identified as S, later revealed to be Song. A also claimed Song was forced to transfer schools due to involvement in other bullying cases. Song’s agency has consistently denied the allegations.

On July 2, more than a year after the accusations first surfaced, Song’s representatives said they had gathered multiple pieces of evidence proving A’s claims false and filed a criminal complaint.

“Song Ha-yoon never committed violence against A during high school and was never forcibly transferred because of bullying. We have submitted public institution records, notarized statements, and supporting evidence to investigators to prove these claims are false," her legal counsel said.

The school bullying allegation came after Song was gaining attention for her appearance in tvN's 2024 hit drama “Marry My Husband.”

This article from the Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.