Seoul: Singer Lee Seung-hwan filed a petition with the Constitutional Court on Thursday, challenging a city government’s demand in December that he sign a written pledge not to engage in political “incitement” at his concert. The Gumi city government canceled Lee’s reservation for a city-run venue for his 35th anniversary concert on Dec. 20, just two days before the scheduled show, after he refused to sign the agreement.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the cancellation followed Lee’s public criticism of President Yoon Suk Yeol during a rally in Seoul organized by progressive activists. The rally called for the president’s impeachment over his short-lived martial law declaration. Lee expressed his concerns about the violation of freedoms, stating on social media that he wants the Constitutional Court to rule on the freedom of conscience, art, and expression, which he claims were violated by the Gumi mayor.

In addition to the constitutional petition, Lee filed a 250 million-won (US$174,000) damages lawsuit last month against Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho and the city government. He argues that the decision to revoke his permission to use the Gumi Arts Center was unjust. Lee’s management agency, Dream Factory, is determined to pursue the case to its conclusion.