On the 20th, fans of NewJeans reported that a netizen, known as “A,”had repeatedly posted on an online community, making threats of committing an act of violence against the group. Although the posts have been removed, they can still be found on platforms such as Google. The situation escalated when A indirectly revealed the location of NewJeans’ dorm through live broadcasts and even went as far as to threaten to “find the lake next time”after pinpointing the exact location. With a direct threat to the safety of the group, it is imperative that thorough measures are taken. Fans have taken the initiative to save the relevant posts as PDFs and have also reported them.
HYBE responded to Sports World, stating that they would investigate the matter and also mentioned that they consistently take legal action.
This is not the first instance of threats being directed towards NewJeans, emphasizing the necessity for stricter measures. In June, a post was made warning of a potential knife attack at a NewJeans concert, leading fans to report it to the authorities. The individual responsible had shared a message titled “I purchased this for use at the NewJeans concert,”accompanied by a photo of a Japanese knife, stating, “I will distribute one to each member when they exit the van.”However, it was discovered that the knife photo was not taken by the poster, but was instead a promotional image obtained from an online retail site. Fans quickly captured and shared the post, urging others to report it to the police and providing evidence of their own reports.
Regardless of whether the threat is carried out or not, naming a specific target is considered a criminal offense. In cases where preparations for an attack have been made, charges of attempted murder or assault may apply. The punishment for making threats can lead to a maximum of three years in prison or a fine of up to 5 million won. In more severe cases, special threats can result in a sentence of up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won. Attempted murder charges can result in a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Online controversies have been consistently sparked by anonymous threats, not only against NewJeans but also other well-known celebrities. Past incidents have involved threats towards Jang Won-young of IVE, Winter of aespa, and the singer IU.
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