Sexual harassment charge dropped against pianist Lim Dong-hyek

Pianist Lim Dong-hyek perfoms at his 20th anniversary concert. [YONHAP]

Prosecutors dropped a charge of sexual harassment against pianist Lim Dong-hyek.

Last June, Lim's ex-wife accused him of sending her unwanted pornographic images and messages through the KakaoTalk messenger app and email during the couple's divorce suit, which took place in 2019, and again in 2021 after the divorce was complete.

Police handed the case over to prosecution last October, but prosecutors decided not to indict him saying it was "difficult to prove inappropriate sexual intentions."

Although Lim's name was never disclosed during the suit, local media outlets reportedly narrowed down potential suspects and alleged that it was the classical musician.

“The day when I can finally speak for myself has finally come," he wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday along with a picture of a letter from the prosecution informing Lim the charges against him had been dropped.

"I had to continue playing my piano even when I was having my reputation butchered. Everything felt unfair but I didn't want to seem like I was manipulating the public opinion through the press. I thought that it was a musician's job to speak through music."

“I thank all my fans who waited and supported me for so long," he wrote. "I also thank all the artists who supported me throughout that time. I send you all my love and gratitude.”

Lim became the youngest winner of the Long–Thibaud–Crespin Competition in 2001 and is also known for winning third place at the International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition in 2005, and fourth place at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2017.

Lim was embroiled in controversy in 2003 when he refused to accept the third prize at the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition, claiming that the judges were biased.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]