Kim Min-jong’s legal representatives, law firm O’Kims, said that on September 1, 2026, they filed a complaint against MC Mong with Jongno Police Station in Seoul for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation). The complaint responds to allegations concerning illegal gambling made during an internet livestream in May.
Key Development
According to multiple reports, MC Mong mentioned an illegal gambling group involving entertainers during an internet livestream on May 18 and identified Kim Min-jong as one of its members. The following day, May 19, Kim Min-jong’s representatives responded that the claims were untrue and clearly constituted false information. ([Seoul Shinmun](https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/society/2026/05/18/20260518500255), [SBS News](https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?cooper=SBSNEWSEND&news_id=N1008568448&oaid=N1008343035&plink=TOP))
The newly confirmed procedural development is the filing of a defamation complaint on September 1.
Current Status
Kim Min-jong’s side claimed that the spread of the allegations seriously damaged the reputation and trust he had built over 38 years since his debut in 1988. O’Kims said it plans to cooperate with the investigative process and pursue legal measures sequentially, including a civil claim for damages. ([Yonhap News Agency](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260902085500005), [YTN](https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0117_202609021023284755))
However, based solely on publicly available reports, it is not currently possible to confirm whether police have formally opened a case, the specific investigation results, or whether the case has been referred to prosecutors. The illegal-gambling allegations also remain a matter of conflicting claims between MC Mong and Kim Min-jong’s side, and neither side’s account can be treated as established fact.
Impact
Kim Min-jong’s side claimed that discussions about appearing in a Hollywood follow-up project and two advertising contracts had been suspended, creating specific losses. These are allegations presented by Kim Min-jong’s side and cannot be described as legally established damages until objective contract documentation is confirmed. ([Hankook Ilbo](https://www.hankookilbo.com/news/article/A2026090209000002621), [Edaily](https://www.edaily.co.kr/News/Read?mediaCodeNo=257&newsId=03034006645576184))
The confirmed issues in this case are as follows:
- MC Mong’s statements during the May 18 broadcast
- Kim Min-jong’s side disputing them as false information on May 19
- The filing of a defamation complaint on September 1
- Kim Min-jong’s side’s claims concerning damage to his reputation and trust and the suspension of follow-up project and advertising discussions
What to Watch Next
The next points to monitor are how police handle the complaint, whether the start of an investigation or the formal opening of a case becomes public, and whether either side issues additional statements. What has been publicly confirmed so far is the filing of the complaint, the conflicting claims from both sides, and the further legal action announced by Kim Min-jong’s representatives.