Kim Hyun Joong's side claims he was threatened by a media outlet

SEE ALSO: Lee Jang Woo (39) & Jo Hye Won (31) to tie the knot in November

Kim Hyun Joong's attorney Lee Jae Man told a reporter at MBN Star via phone call earlier today, "Last August, Choi's side handed over the documents related to her pregnancy and the miscarriage, which resulted from physical abuse, to 'A' media outlet. 'A' told Kim Hyun Joong's agency Key East that they possessed the documents.  'A' deny that they threatened Kim Hyun Joong but he was told by his agency (Key East) that 'A' has documents related to Choi." 

According to the report, after Kim Hyun Joong learned of 'A's possession of the documents, he was extremely fearful that the situation would spread via media and handed over 600 million KRW (~ $515,000 USD) in settlement money. 

The lawyer explained, "Key East claims 'A' media outlet never threatened them, but Kim Hyun Joong concluded that what his agency told him held more credibility than what he heard from Choi. After he learned [of this], he felt that he was being threatened and attempted to settle by giving 600 million KRW." 

A rep from Key East claimed, "We didn't feel that we were threatened by 'A' but just thought of it as routine coverage," making a firm distinction between what Kim Hyun Joong had deemed a "threat." 'A' also denied the lawyer's claim, stating, "It was simply routine coverage."