Former T-ara member Lee Areum has been charged with child abuse, along with her mother facing charges of child abduction, according to a report by Dispatch on June 3. The prosecution has banned them from approaching their children until July 21.

Previously, Areum accused her ex-husband, Mr. A, of child abuse, claiming he had thrown an infant from a bed and physically mistreated their five-year-old child. She alleged that Mr. A had used the children as outlets for his anger, including urinating and defecating on their faces. However, these claims were not substantiated, and the police investigation did not find evidence of abuse by Mr. A.

On May 8, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office dismissed the case against Mr. A due to insufficient evidence, citing the lack of credibility in the children’s testimonies, which experts suggested could have been influenced by Areum.

The Gwangmyeong Police Station charged Areum last month with child abuse, neglect, and child abduction. Her mother was also charged with child abduction. Both have been temporarily banned from coming within 100 meters of the children’s residence and daycare.

In other news, Areum, who has two sons with Mr. A and divorced him in December last year, had announced her remarriage to Mr. Seo at that time. However, she faced allegations of defrauding fans and acquaintances of over 40 million won with Mr. Seo, leading to their split in April.