Lee Chaeyeon's label has announced legal action against cyberbullies targeting her.
The IZ*ONE member's agency asserted the severity of the situation in an official statement.
"This is a serious criminal act that undermines the reputation and character of the artist," the agency said.
"We will continue to monitor and respond strongly to malicious slander, defamation, personal attacks, indiscriminate dissemination of false information, and expanded reproduction."
"We will take strong legal action without leniency for all subsequent illegal activities," they added.
Lee came under attack after she joined in calls for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment after he issued martial law.
"Am I not in a position to talk politics? Then what position qualifies?" she asked, speaking to fans.
"As a citizen, I'll decide for myself. I'll say what I want, when I want. I'm a public figure and that's exactly why I should speak out. But thank you for your concerns. Let's strive for a better world — a world where we can truly send love to each other."
WM Entertainment's full statement is as follows below:
Hello,
It's WM Entertainment.
Malicious comments and slander continue online and SNS related to artist Lee Chae-yeon. This is a serious criminal act that undermines the reputation and character of an artist, and we will continue to monitor it to take a hardline response to malicious slander, defamation, personal attacks, indiscriminate dissemination of false information, and expanded reproduction.
We will take strong legal action without leniency for all subsequent illegal activities, and we will continue to do our best to protect the rights and interests of artists and to support our fans.
Thank you.
