Former T-ARA member Lee Areum has been sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, after being found guilty of child abuse and defamation. Areum, 31, admitted to the charges and was also ordered to complete 40 hours of child abuse prevention lectures.
The Suwon District Court’s Ansan Branch Criminal Division 9 revealed the ruling on January 17. Areum was found guilty of verbally abusing her ex-husband in front of their two children and defaming an online netizen, “A,” who had shared court documents related to her current husband. Regarding child abuse, the court stated, “She admits to all the charges. She should be criticized for causing mental harm to the legal guardian of the victimized child.”
On the defamation charge, the court noted that Areum had falsely accused “A” of manipulating the verdict without verifying the facts, concluding that it was an intentional act.
Areum’s mother was also sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for one year, for neglecting her grandchildren while Areum verbally abused her ex-husband.
This case shocked fans, with some commenting, “If this is true, then she deserves it,” while others called the sentence too lenient: “Eight months? That’s too short.” T-ARA, a second-generation K-pop group, remains controversial due to its past bullying scandals, further intensifying the public’s reactions.
