Areum, who was handed a suspended prison sentence for child abuse and defamation, is challenging the ruling.
According to a recent report by Star News on January 28, the former T-ara member Areum has filed an appeal to overturn the conviction. As per the report, her legal representative submitted an appeal on January 23 and expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict of the first trial.
On January 16, Areum received a suspended prison sentence of 8 months and two years of probation from the Suwon District Court for child abuse and defamation charges. The court also ordered her to attend 40 hours of child abuse prevention classes.
She was found guilty of emotionally abusing her children and using profanity against her ex-husband in front of them. Additionally, she was charged with defamation for slandering an individual online who had exposed court documents regarding her current boyfriend.
During the broadcast in April 2024, she falsely claimed that court documents released by her the aforementioned individual were fabricated.
The court criticized Areum for causing emotional distress to the victim’s guardian but suspended her sentence due to mitigating circumstances. These included her admission of wrongdoing, lack of forgiveness from the victim, and the return of the victimized children to their guardian.
Her mother was also sentenced to four months in prison and one year of probation for child abandonment and neglect.
Her appeal has put the spotlight on the upcoming trial. The former T-ara member debuted in 2012, left the group in 2013, and married a businessman in 2019. She has two children but announced her divorce in December 2023.