On December 22nd, former CEO of YG Entertainment Yang Hyun-Suk was cleared of charges that he threatened an informant to cover up a drug investigation for an artist under his agency.

The Seoul Central District Court acquitted Mr. Yang of threatening retaliation to pressure the victim to reverse the statement regarding a criminal case of one YG Entertainment artist.

The judge announced, “In order to reverse the statement, Yang reportedly used demoralizing words and threatening actions to pressure the victim.”

The statement from the victim claims that she was threatened by Mr. Yang who said ‘I can make you never set foot in the entertainment industry again” to “I will kill you” and then “it is easy to break you.”

The judge emphasized, “Han Seo-Hee changed the citations more than once and gave concrete detailed statements later in the timeline, which is unusual, as memories fade as time goes by.”

Regarding this, the judge explained, “It is doubtful whether the police distorted or strengthened the statement by giving hints to lead the statement in a certain direction in order to elicit provocative statements.”

The judge said, "It is difficult to trust Han Seo-Hee's statement and there is insufficient evidence to believe that Yang Hyun-Suk threatened her with a source of direct harm."

After the sentencing, Yang Hyun-Suk told reporters by the entrance of the courts to say, "I respect the court's ruling. I will go back to where I stand and will try my best.”