Actor Lee Byeong-Heon speaks to reporters after testifying at TV personality Kang Byung-kyu's trial at the Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office in South Korea on July 14, 2010. [Han Youn-jong/Asia Economic Daily]
Top Korean actor Lee Byeong-Heon testified at TV personality Kang Byung-kyu's hearing today, the two confronting each other for the first time since being embroiled in a legal battle also involving Lee's former girlfriend.
The trial took place behind closed doors as requested in advance by Lee, commencing a little past 4 p.m. at the Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office.
"I had kept quiet till now because I thought I had been set up in a ridiculous conspiracy", a calm-looking Lee told reporters after stepping out of court about an hour and a half later. "I thought this incident would be resolved quickly by taking legal action but it has somehow dragged on till now".
Lee also said he "gave an honest testimony about the facts the way they are", adding that the truth will soon be revealed.
Kang has been standing trial on two charges;' defaming and attempting blackmail against Lee, and his alleged involvement in an assault case on the set of last year's hit TV series "IRIS".
The case started seven months ago when Lee's ex-girlfriend identified by her last name Kwon lodged a complaint to court saying she was allured into having a sexual relationship with Lee on his false promises of marriage and demanded she be compensated for physical and psychological damage.
Lee then filed a suit against Kwon as well as Kang, who according to Lee's legal representatives, was behind those who had demanded for money in exchange for exposing details of the actor's personal life.
Prosecutors sided with Lee, indicting Kang In mid-March for defamation and attempted blackmail against the actor. An angered Kang had then countersued Lee for defamation but the court cleared the actor of any charges.
Kang was also indicted for his alleged involvement in assaulting crew members of "IRIS" -- then starring Lee -- which he visited in mid-December over talk that Jeong Tae-won, chief of Taewon Entertainment and producer of the hit show, had spread false rumor that he was behind the feud between Lee and Kwon.
Lee Byeong-Heon [Han Youn-jong/Asia Economic Daily]
Actor Lee Byeong-Heon arrives at the Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office in South Korea on July 14, 2010 to testify at TV personality Kang Byung-kyu's trial.
Lee Byeong-Heon [Han Youn-jong/Asia Economic Daily]
Actor Lee Byeong-Heon walks into the Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office in South Korea on July 14, 2010 to testify at TV personality Kang Byung-kyu's trial.
Lee Byeong-Heon [Han Youn-jong/Asia Economic Daily]
Actor Lee Byeong-Heon leaves the Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office in South Korea on July 14, 2010 after testifying at TV personality Kang Byung-kyu's trial.
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Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
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