Comedian Ahn Young-mi has come forward to legally respond to allegations of 'birth tourism'.

On May 12, Ahn Young-mi's agency, Media Lab Siso, released an official statement saying, "From the moment An Young-mi and her husband received news of the pregnancy, they had long discussions and made preparations, considering the unique situation of her husband working in the United States."

The agency further explained, "In order for the couple to be together during the precious moment of their first childbirth, we decided that it was more realistic for An Young-mi, who has a relatively flexible job, to temporarily suspend her broadcast activities, rather than her husband giving up his job. This was the best decision for the family to be together."

Media Lab Siso stated, "We have restrained our response as much as possible, fearing the controversy would grow out of proportion. However, even now, malicious comments that we dare not utter are being posted about Ahn Young-mi, and even about the child in her belly. False facts are also being spread through communities and SNS. We are considering a strong legal response without leniency towards them."

Ahn Young-mi married an employee of a foreign company in 2020 and was expecting a baby after three years of marriage in July. In the process, news that An Young-mi would soon head to the United States to give birth sparked the so-called 'birth tourism' controversy.

In response to the allegations of birth tourism, Ahn Young-mi said, "Our little bean is now 8 months old. In my belly. Already worrying about military issues seems like a far-off story. Instead of speculating about the unknown future, how about blessing the baby who's squirming in my belly right now?" and "Whether my husband was in Vietnam or the Philippines, I would have gone. Pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing, which may only happen once in a lifetime. How could I do all that alone? I have to do it with my loving husband."

Full statement from An Young-mi's agency:

Hello, this is Media Lab Siso.

Firstly, we sincerely thank all fans who have shown much love and concern for An Young-mi.

Ahn Young-mi has temporarily suspended her broadcast activities to share the joy of childbirth with her husband, who is living and working in the United States.

Ahn Young-mi and her husband have had long discussions and preparations from the moment they learned of the pregnancy, considering the unique situation of her husband working in the United States.

In order for the couple to be together during the precious moment of their first childbirth, we decided it was more realistic for An Young-mi, who has a relatively flexible job, to temporarily suspend her broadcast activities, rather than her husband giving up his job. This was the best decision for the family to be together.

Our agency has restrained our response as much as possible, fearing the controversy would grow out of proportion. However, even now, malicious comments that we dare not utter are being posted about An Young-mi, and even about the child in her belly. False facts are also being spread through communities and SNS.

In light of this, our agency can no longer overlook or ignore these actions and is considering a strong legal response without leniency towards them.

As Ahn Young-mi is preparing for a significant event like childbirth and has made a decision to be with her family, we kindly ask everyone to warmly welcome the new life and refrain from undue speculation or slander about the artist.

Thank you.

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