[Trigger Warning: Mentions of suicide and threats]

Years after the death of former KARA member Goo Hara, the court declares who is mainly responsible that led to the idol's death.

Keep on reading to know more.

Court Rules Goo Hara's Ex-Boyfriend Choi Jong Beom as Cause of Idol's Suicide

According to an exclusive report by media outlet Seoul Economic Daily on October 12 KST, legal circles revealed that in a damage claim lawsuit filed by former KARA member and late idol Goo Hara's family against her ex-boyfriend, Choi Jong Beom, the Seoul Northern District Court ruled in partial favor of the plaintiff (Goo Hara's family), with Choi Jong Beom ordered to pay the idol's bereaved family a total of ₩78 million KRW (around $54,700 USD).

Back in October 2020, the Supreme Court had sentenced Choi Jong Beom to one year in prison after being found guilty on the charges of assault and threatening Goo Hara with a video. He was also investigated for illegal filming, however, he was not found guilty for this.

Prior to this, Goo Hara's family had also filed a total of a ₩100 million KRW (around $70,100 USD) lawsuit against Choi Jong Beom in July 2020. At this time, Choi Jong Beom was sentenced to prison following the second trial, where he was arrested in court.

The court had stated at the time that, "Goo [Hara] had suffered severe mental pain due to Choi [Jong Beom]'s threats and coercion, which eventually led to [Goo Hara's] suicide."

Thus, they ruled that due to Choi Jong Beom's threats against Goo Hara, in addition to other illegal acts, had caused the singer's mental health to decline severely, leading her to commit suicide.

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Choi Jong Beom's Threats Led to Goo Hara's Mental Health Decline

In particular, the court stated, "Choi [Jong Beom] threatened Goo [Hara] by exploiting her enormous sexual shame, and the fact that she would not be able to continue with her entertainment activities if a video of her, a famous female entertainer, was circulated. It must have caused mental pain."

The court also added, "Compared to the past when she began her career as a celebrity at a young age and achieved considerable success, Goo [Hara] seemed to have reached a point wherein she had lost all hope and motivation for the future."

The judge presiding at the time also noted that Choi Jong Beom had continued on with his illegal activities, while knowing fully-well that it could lead to Goo Hara's suicide.

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In the end, the court declared that due to the outcome of Choi Jong Beom's acts, he is responsible for compensating for the mental suffering suffered by Goo Hara and her family.

A lawyer representing Goo Hara's family had stated, "The highest level of fine was recognized based on the amount of mental damage normally recognized by the court. I am glad that the court viewed Choi [Jong Beom]'s crime as extremely bad. In the long run, we hope that the court will increase the degree of fines in such a situation."

Meanwhile, Goo Hara passed away in November 2019, after she was found dead in her home.

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Written by Robyn Joan