▲ These Yonhap file photos show singer-actor Kim Min-jong (L) and singer-songwriter MC Mong. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Yonhap) -- Singer and actor Kim Min-jong has withdrawn a criminal complaint he filed against MC Mong, his legal representative, law firm Ohkim's attorney Oh Seong-heon, said Thursday.

 

Kim's side withdrew the complaint Wednesday, a day after filing it with the Seoul Jongno Police Station on Sept. 1 against MC Mong on charges of defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.

 

MC Mong had alleged during a livestream in May that an illegal gambling group involving celebrities existed and identified Kim as one of its members. Kim immediately and strongly denied the allegation and filed a police complaint against MC Mong on Sept. 1.

 

Four months after raising the allegation, MC Mong met Kim in person on Sept. 5 to apologize and also admitted his wrongdoing during a livestream.

 

Kim accepted the apology and withdrew the complaint.

 

"I thought it was necessary to give another chance to someone who acknowledged his wrongdoing and apologized," Kim said, explaining his decision to withdraw the complaint.

 

"It is true that I suffered wounds and harm that were difficult to overcome over the past four months, but I did not want to turn away from the heart of my junior colleague, who reflected on his actions and asked for forgiveness," he said. "I thought embracing another person was a more meaningful choice than pursuing legal action."

 

Kim also encouraged MC Mong, saying, "Let's now support each other and move forward from where we each are."

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