Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi speaks during a press event for "About Family." Newsis

Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi addressed the controversy surrounding his father-in-law's alleged involvement in stock manipulation, clarifying that he and his wife, actress Lee Da-in, "have established a completely independent family."

At a press event for the movie "About Family" on Tuesday at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University branch in Seoul, Lee said, "I want to answer as sincerely as possible, but there are personal aspects here that make me cautious."

Lee said, "I think there may have been misunderstandings from previous comments suggesting that 'family is without fault.' I've been consistent about that my in-laws' matters are their own, and, after marriage, my wife and I have formed an entirely separate, independent family."

He added that it didn't seem appropriate to provide additional comments and noted that if he caused any misunderstandings, he would act with more caution in the future.

The controversy traces back to June, when the Supreme Court overturned an acquittal for Lee's father-in-law, who, alongside three others, was charged with manipulating the stock prices of a Kosdaq-listed company between November 2014 and February 2016, allegedly profiting 2.37 billion won ($1.8 million).

After receiving a prison sentence and fines in the first trial for misleading disclosures violating the Capital Markets Act, he was acquitted in an appellate court.

However, the Supreme Court's decision to reverse the acquittal has returned the case to the Seoul High Court, ruling that the disclosures constituted "unlawful actions" potentially harmful to investors.

In response to the Supreme Court ruling, Lee Seung-gi's agency, Big Planet Made, released a statement urging the public to "please refrain from involving his family." The agency of "firm legal action" against false information and malicious defamation toward Lee and his family.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.