Suspect who robbed Korean actress Nana's home countersues her
A man who invaded and robbed the home of Korean singer-turned-actress Nana last November filed a countersuit against her.
Nana, 34, is a former member of K-pop group After School who transitioned into acting, starring in the 2023 Netflix series "Mask Girl." In 2014, Nana ranked No. 1 among the 100 most beautiful faces list issued by TC Candler.
Last Nov. 15 at about 6 a.m. KST, a man in his 30s who was armed with a weapon broke into the home of Nana and her mother in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
He demanded money and reportedly strangled and injured the mother.
Nana woke up after hearing her mother's screams and they fought the robber and subdued him.
The robber suffered a laceration to his chin but the police did not file a case because they determined that the injuries inflicted on the suspect by Nana and her mother constituted self-defense.
A warrant of arrest was issued against the suspect for special robbery and assault.
Special robbery, under Article 334 of Korea’s Criminal Act, is described as when “a person who commits [robbery] by trespassing upon a human habitation, managed building, structure, ship or aircraft or occupied room at night, shall be punished by imprisonment for life or at least five years.”
Now the suspect has filed a countersuit against Nana, claiming attempted murder and special assault.
Nana’s agency, Sublime, said the suspect is taking advantage of Nana’s celebrity status.
"Nana and her family suffered serious physical and mental damage during the course of the crime committed by the armed assailant. Despite this, the assailant has not shown any remorse and has filed a separate lawsuit against Nana, taking advantage of the victim's celebrity status to cause secondary damage through inhumane acts,” the agency said.
It added, "We plan to pursue all legal actions, both civil and criminal, against the perpetrator in relation to this matter."
A legal expert told JTBC News, “It seems that the fact that a suspect who has already been indicted is countersuing for attempted murder is a strategy to create controversy over self-defense in court and reduce the sentence.”