[MyDaily = Reporter Rosa Park] A legal representative for an overseas jeweler says rapper Dok2 (36, legal name Lee Joon-kyung) has failed to repay an outstanding balance for jewelry for three years.
On April 3, Munhwa Ilbo reported that the jeweler’s law firm (O'Kims Law Firm) issued a statement saying Dok2 agreed to a court-enforced mediation to repay the debt in three installments but has only made one payment and has not fulfilled the remaining obligations.
The firm previously filed suit in 2019, saying Dok2 purchased seven pieces of jewelry in 2018 valued at about $206,000 (approximately 274.7 million KRW) but did not pay the remaining $34,740 (approximately 46.3 million KRW). The court ordered him to pay that amount and accrued damages in three installments.
According to the company, he made a single repayment of $11,580 (approximately 15.4 million KRW) in September 2022 and has not settled the debt in full. He still owes $32,623 (approximately 43.5 million KRW).
The legal representative said it is difficult to reconcile claims of financial hardship with Dok2’s continued long-term residence in the U.S., and noted that, as an artist who owns numerous musical works, he likely receives substantial income from royalties. The firm added it will consider legal measures, including enforcement and provisional seizure, if necessary.
This is not Dok2’s first public controversy. He was listed twice by the National Tax Service as a high-amount, habitual tax delinquent in 2022 and 2023, and is reported to have settled roughly 672 million KRW (about $504,000) in unpaid taxes last year.
Recently, Dok2 co-founded a label with singer Lee Hi and released a duet. He also publicly confirmed a five-year relationship and began sharing couple photos on social media. Allegations that he has been delaying debt repayment have prompted disappointment among netizens. Dok2 has not issued a statement to date.
