Lee Areum, a former member of the K-pop group T-ara, has been handed a probation sentence after being convicted of child abuse.
On January 16, Judge Yoon Sang-do of the 9th Criminal Division of the Ansan Branch of the Suwon District Court sentenced Lee to 8 months in prison and 2 years of probation, along with 40 hours of child abuse prevention classes. She was indicted on charges of kidnapping, enticing a minor, and defamation.
Areum is accused of verbally abusing her ex-husband in front of their children and defaming an individual who publicly shared a court ruling about her boyfriend during an online broadcast.
Regarding child abuse allegations: “The defendant has admitted to all charges. Causing emotional harm to the child’s legitimate caregiver is strongly condemnable.”
In relation to defamation, the court stated, “Although the defendant claimed no intention to slander, they made irrational statements, such as claiming the verdict was manipulated, without verifying facts. It was determined it was a negligent intent.”
Her mother received a sentence of four months in prison and one year of probation for neglecting her grandchildren. She was found guilty of allowing the children to remain in a harmful environment where they witnessed Areum verbally abusing her ex-husband at their residence between 2021 and 2022.
In June 2024, Lee Areum was sent to the prosecution for alleged child abuse, abandonment, and abduction of a minor, along with her mother, who faces charges of abducting a minor. Previously, she accused her ex-husband of physically abusing their children, but investigators found no evidence to support her claims.
Conversely, the ex-husband filed a complaint against Areum, alleging child abuse. Authorities also issued a temporary restraining order, prohibiting her from approaching her daughter’s residence and daycare center.
