Singer Lee Seung-hwan during his performance in Seoul, March 27 / Yonhap

A constitutional petition filed by singer Lee Seung-hwan over a city government's demand that he sign a written pledge not to engage in political "incitement" at his concert has been dismissed.

The Constitutional Court made the ruling during its preliminary review process the previous day, saying the petition does not meet the necessary legal requirements to be considered by the court.

The court said Lee's "fundamental rights have already ceased to be infringed," meaning there is no benefit in protecting his rights regardless of its decision. It also found no "significant risk" that similar infringements will happen again in the future.

In December, the Gumi city government canceled Lee's reservation for a city-run venue for his 35th anniversary concert, just two days before the scheduled show, after he refused to sign the agreement.

The cancellation came after the 59-year-old singer publicly criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol during a rally in Seoul organized by progressive activists calling for the president's impeachment over his short-lived martial law declaration.

In January, the singer filed a 250 million-won ($174,000) damages lawsuit against Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho and the city government, arguing the decision to revoke his permission to use the Gumi Arts Center was unjust. The following month, he filed the complaint at the Constitutional Court.

Welcoming the ruling Thursday, the mayor said the court's decision confirmed the city's actions were justified and in accordance with law and principle.

"Freedom of expression should be protected and concerts should go on, but they cannot take precedence over citizens' safety," the mayor wrote on this social media platform.

Lee's legal team expressed regret over the decision, citing a high likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future.

"It is unfortunate that the court did not recognize this as an urgent matter requiring constitutional clarification, despite the mayor's demand lacking a legal basis." (Yonhap)