A third trial in the Lee Byung Hun blackmail case took place on Dec. 16 in the Seoul District Court.
The second trial, which was held in private, was supposed to feature testimony from the bar owner who introduced Lee Byung Hun to his alleged blackmailers GLAM's Da Hee and model Lee Ji Yeon. But the witness could not attend the trial and his testimony was rescheduled.
BH Entertainment, Lee Byung Hun's agency, released a statement regarding the rescheduling.
"There was confusion last time because of a lack of communication and we are sorry to those who wanted trial results," said the BH Entertainment statement. "Lee Byung Hun feels moral responsibility and he's being very careful about the case as it's serious."
The actor's team said that it is important to be thorough and dispel any rumors.
"The co-defendants have been saying things that could lead to misunderstandings so the third trial will be held in private."
The blackmail incident allegedly occurred in August when the women threatened to release video footage of Lee Byung Hun engaged in a sexually explicit conversation unless he paid them $5 million. Reportedly, during the second trial, the alleged blackmailers and the actor watched the video footage then each gave their side of the story.
The women said that the actor and Lee Ji Yeon had an affair and that their blackmail attempt was an emotional response to the actor breaking it off. He denies any relationship with Lee Ji Yeon and says he stopped socializing with the women when he realized the extent of their financial problems.
The prosecution is reportedly asking for a three-year jail sentence for both Da Hee and Lee Ji Yeon.
The prosecution contends that although the women admitted to the crime, they do not admit to planning it. The prosecution also said that due to the number of meetings between Lee Byung Hun and Lee Ji Yeon it would be unlikely that they had an affair.
The defendants' legal team argued that the alleged blackmail attempt was not premeditated.
So far, Lee ji Yeon has submitted four letters of apology to the court and Da Hee submitted 14. They cried in court when asking for leniency.
According to the prosecution's statements the letters of apology are inadequate. Although the defendants submitted letters of apology, the prosecution says they have not directly apologized to the victim and instead seem to trying to blame the victim.
Lee Byung Hun will not attend the third trial and it is expected that the final judgment will be out in January.
