Police reportedly searched the offices of Junwon Industries and Yuri Holdings in relation to alleged embezzlement by Seungri. Seungri explained that he quit his position as a director of Burning Sun before the assault cases, and claimed he was also a victim of Burning Suns misdeeds. He was summoned by the police for questioning but was in the U.S. where he studies at Georgetown. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. During an urgent press conference held on March 13, it was revealed that FTISLANDs Choi Jonghoon, who was previously accused of being part of the chatroom with Seungri and Jung Joon Young, was caught drunk driving 3 years ago. The Seoul Police Department launched an investigation into the prostitution claims. Ji was employed by YG Entertainment. I responded You got caught by her? I did not receive a video at that time, but I did receive a different video at a different time. Due to Koreas nationality principle, Koreans can still be punished for gambling in an overseas casino in spite of the fact that gambling may be legal in that country. Its an expensive habit to think about the military not as a practical tool but as a symbol of strategic intent. A press conference held by the Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency confirmed that a chatroom member referenced a police connection. SMPA also confirmed that prostitution took place in 2015 revolving around the time a YG credit card was used to book hotel rooms for Japanese business associates, with suspicion of Seungri coordinating the services. March 6: Kukinews reported that YG founder Yang Hyun Suk and his brother, Yang Min Suk, owned a club called Love Signal. Inlate March,Seungriconfessed to reporting a club that he set up withYuri HoldingsCEO Yoo In Sukas a typical restaurant and that he knew that it was illegal when he committed the act. I filmed women without their consent and shared it in a social media chatroom.. In the released chat log, Choi Jonghoon messaged the group chat about his arrest, claiming he gave 10 million won to the police to get out of it. Yonhaps reportingused no names, but she has been alternatively known in English-language media as both Anna or Madam Lin.. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, some of these celebrities had been called in as a part of their investigation. On March 15, MBNrevealed the identities of all 8 members of the original hidden camera chatroom. Jung Jinwoons agency explained that its difficult to get in touch with him because he is currently still in the militarys training program. The Interpreter features in-depth analysis & expert commentary on the latest international events, published daily by the Lowy Institute, Copyright 2023 Kim Hak-eui resigned from his role of vice justice minister in 2013 after video emerged of him allegedly raping a woman at a sex party at the home of businessman Yoon Jung-cheon five years earlier. As a result of the ongoing controversial news surrounding Seungri's club, 'Burning Sun' has allegedly revealed a CCTV video. I was shocked so I tried to get him away from me. For now, the fallout from Burning Sun has been severe for artists, labels and fans alike. The videos were later revealed to have been taken at multiple places, both day and night. In late January, after closed circuit television footage of a mans assault at Burning Sun circulated, South Korean news outlets published text messages allegedly from Seungri, one of the nightclubs board members, asking staff to hire prostitutes for investors. March 29: The Ilyo Shinmun reportedthat police obtained testimony from a close acquaintance of Seungri in two sessions on March 25 and 28. The whistleblowers lawyer sent the messages to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on Feb. 22. Seungri announced his retirement from the entertainment industry on Instagram. He was not part of the main chatroom, but he had knowledge of Jungs illegal camera footage. These developments have become national news on such a large scale that even South Korean President Moon Jae-in commented on them, stating that If the truth is not revealed, we cannot say its a just society., The crimes echo larger issues facing Korea, such as the countrys ongoing spy cam epidemic. Yuri Holdings denied claims they sought prostitutes to bribe investors. Jung Joon Young was in San Francisco to film tvNs cooking variety show 4 Wheeled Restaurant Season 3. Students at the Washington D.C.-area college reportedly began a petition to get the star suspended or potentially expelled,due to the disgusting and illegal nature of these allegations. Upon reaching out for a statement, Georgetowns media relations team told Billboard that, Georgetown refrains from commenting on individual students in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The representative then offered this statement: Georgetown is committed to making sure that reported cases of sexual misconduct are investigated and responded to promptly and thoroughly. Afterward, the chat was sent to SBS funE. It was also announced that Superintendent Yoon submitted a business and personal cell phone to the police as part of their investigations. Jan. 31: YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun Suk issued a statement distancing the company from the controversies surrounding Seungri. The exact amount continues to be under investigation. March 22: Yang Min Suk retained his position as CEO of YG Entertainment after facing a no-confidence vote among shareholders. SMPA confirms that Choi admitted he tried to bribe police to cover up past drunk driving incident. In a shocking turn of events, the woman Kim Sang Kyo supposedly saved from sexual harassment at the Burning Sun claimed he was the one who had harassed her. After being detained for nearly 8 hours, Kim Sang Kyo was finally hospitalized and diagnosed with fractures in his ribs, rhabdomyolysis, finger paralysis, extreme bruising and bleeding. News reporters who were stationed outside of YG Entertainment saw two 2t trucks enter YG Entertainments parking lot. Currently, issues regarding drug investigations are being brought up irrelevant to the assault case but Seungri has recently received a strict investigation by prosecutors with confiscation warrants due to numerous groundless reports. FNC Entertainment announced that Choi Jonghoon left FTISLAND and retired from the entertainment industry. (Um, yeah. March 11: SBS funE reported two more singers were in the chatroom. He was acquitted after the prosecution dismissed the search warrant claiming that there were no circumstances of him trying to circulate it.. The Burning Sun was a popular club. On March 12, SBSs 8 OClock Newsreported that on April 17, 2016, Mr. Kim uploaded a video of himself engaging in sexual relations to the group chat. While Investor B was a woman, her acquaintances were apparently men. Police referred the case to the prosecutors office after they found evidence that Jung distributed illicit videos 11 times in the group chats in question. SBS stated that it would not blacklist individuals, but left decisions up to the directors of its shows. 8 OClock News reported on a lewd one-on-one chat between Jung Joon-young and CNBLUEs Lee Jong Hyun. 4 Years Later: Where All The K-Pop Idols Involved In The Burning Sun Scandal Are Now, Seungri Is Released From Prison Two Days Earlier Than Scheduled, Netizens Are Stunned To Realize That Seungri Will Be Released From Prison Only Months From Now, Seungris Military Discharge Is Currently Being Delayed Due To His Burning Sun Trials. Commissioner Won Kyung Hwan of SMPA announced at a press conference that the police intend to close their investigation into Seungri and Yoon soon. Were emphasizing that he was neither a suspect or interrogated as one. If you wanted the club to stay open an extra hour. The case was investigated twice in 2013 and 2014 but was thrown out despite the video, with prosecutors arguing that Kim could not be identified. By this point, 40 people have been booked on charges of drug use and distribution. The woman reported the assault, but the police reportedly took no action and Burning Sun allegedly deleted the CCTV footage. K-pop fans are often fiercely loyal and devoted. She has been suspected of using Burning Sun as a location for money laundering as well. March 26: Arenas owner, known by his surname Kang, was arrested on charges of tax evasion. On April 3 it was reported that, at theNational Assembly Information Committeegeneral meeting, SuperintendentMin Gap Ryongstated that 5 out of 6 police officers were booked for collusion with Burning Sun. According to various reports for Thai media agencies, the identity of a VIP customer of club Burning Sun has been revealed to be a man named Chavanos Rattakul, CEO of Origin Food and the director of St. Andrew's International School. In this March 14, 2019, photo, TV presenter Jung Joon-young, center, arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Seoul. I have faithfully completed my investigation. It was reportedthat Jeong Jinwoon of 2AM, Kangin of Super Junior, and model Lee Chulwoo were the three other celebrities involved. March 10: Seungri was booked on charges of supplying prostitutes, and he became a suspect in the case. However, he has confirmed that there was no instance of request to the media or police as stated in reports released today. I apologize for causing a stir. He did not submit his phone as evidence, as he claimed that the phone was broken. The scandal that began with allegations of drugs and violence at Seoul's Burning Sun nightclub, has since implicated several k-pop celebrities, and is now having an impact on the TV drama world . A Dispatch article showed that Jung Joon-young was allegedly involved in foreign prostitution rings. Moon ordered investigations not just into Burning Sun, but into the police force, due to accusations of cover-ups at the club and others in the Gangnam and Hongdae districts, and also into alleged crimes committed by Kim Hak-eui in 2009 and Jang Ja-yeons death the same year. Mr. Kim was Jung Joon Youngs biggest hidden camera mate. Starting in March 2019, a new Golden Phone appeared. Reporter Oh Hyuk Jin was one of the first to break the news regarding all of the corruption and illegal activities that happened around Burning Sun. March 20: Seungris military enlistment was postponed. Among the celebrities summoned by police includes Mr. A, who was formerly a singer, but now is promoting active on television broadcasts. Kim Sang Kyo claimed that the Burning Suns CEO and the employees beat him in order to take the bullet for their VIP customer. Traces of BIGBANG and YG Entertainment have been removed from Seungris Naver profile. The investigation did not confirm the rape allegation. Around 10:00AM, I was transferred to the Gangnam Police Station. Park denied Hwangs claims he was the celebrity who coaxed her into using illegal drugs. On November 24 at Burning Sun, a woman who was being sexually harassed grabbed my shoulder and hid behind me. Soon after, news broke that Seungris contract with YG Entertainment had also been canceled. Police later confirmed that Choi filed a complaint with prosecution against the woman. In 2018, the band BTS scored two chart-topping albums in the U.S. Feb. 16: Seungri spoke about the Burning Sun controversy at his concert in Seoul, promising to act more carefully.. KBS1s KBS News 9 also reported that he received prostitutes from Yuri Holdings Yoo In Suk. Seungris lawyer denied allegations of his cocaine use. Yuri Holdings currently holds less, as half of the shares were allegedly given to Lin. Yong Junhyung has no connection to the filming or sharing of illegal videos and has never been in a chatroom where Jung Joon Youngs illegal camera videos were shared.. We have also decided that we are unable to maintain our contract with Jung Joon Young due to this scandal. On November 24 at Burning Sun, a woman who was being sexually harassed grabbed my shoulder and hid behind me. We were on our way out after drinking 3 bottles of champagne, when a woman jumped out from a table on my right and hid behind me, while grabbing onto my left shoulder. President Moon Jae-in has weighed in, saying: The common factor is that [the cases concern] developments that took place among the privileged, and there is circumstantial evidence suggesting that the prosecutors and police purposely conducted incomplete investigations, and actively prevented the truth from being revealed. He received a fine of 2.5 million won and a suspended license, but he was not charged with bribing a police officer at the time. Similar cases have rippled across Korean culture before, like actress Jang Ja-yeons death from suicide after claiming that several high-ranking entertainment executives abused her. In this picture, the daughter of Mr. A, who Seungri is suspected of arranging sexual favors for, is pictured. Seungri-Fam chatrooms were for business related planning, and many of the people were Seungris acquaintances. April 15: Police clarified that Seungri and Yuris Yoo had several meals and golf meetings with police Superintendent Yoon. Sure, we never killed anyone, but we did plenty of things that could land us in jail.. We also received testimonies that such prostitution did happen. If that happened, we would have already reported it. In the KakaoTalk messages with Jung Joon Young from late 2015 as reported by the news, we drank together the night before and went home. He, Roy Kim, and JungJoon-youngall appeared together on the fourth season of South Korean talent seriesSuperstar K, which aired in 2012; Roy Kim was the winner of that season. So, we are currently in contact with Jung Joon Young, who is currently overseas fulfilling his schedule, but we are also having difficulties understanding all of the facts. Three to four more members of the chat were booked. The behavior standards for conduct are higher in K-pop, but the ferocity of some fanbases lead some to stick by their idols regardless of their transgressions. March 28: Seungri booked by police for distributing secretly obtained obscene photography with group chat. By offering up the celebrities, the police have satisfied the public and taken the spotlight off the police. Oh Young-jin. The Burning Sun incident, while involving drug dealing, prostitution, violence, tax evasion and collusion with police, overlaps with mafia activities, he wrote for Korea JoongAng Daily. Within the evidence that was submitted to the police, there were more than 10 illegal hidden camera pictures and videos. On April 3, police confirmed that Roy Kim will be summoned for investigation as he is now considered a suspect in distributing illegally filmed hidden camera videos. The acquaintance was reportedly in charge of coordinating and managing the women suspected of prostitution at Seungris birthday in the Philippines. 31 Jan YGE tries to distance itself from the Burning Sun scandal and claims Seungri's decision to resign from Burning Sun is in nooooo way related to the controversy but instead because he will be enlisting soon and won't be able to properly contribute as a board member. At around the same time that his home was searched, KBS News revealed additional chat logs that link Jung Joon Young to the sex trade. An officer allegedly requested the forensics team to claim they couldnt restore the singers phone, which was key evidence. [Kim Sang Kyo] kept following me until he suddenly grabbed me from behind, near my waist. It was not a decision that had been made after consulting with the agency. On November 24, 2018, a man named Kim Sang Kyo was reportedly assaulted at the Burning Sun, a Gangnam club owned by BIGBANG's Seungri, after he stepped in to help a woman who was being sexually harassed. As soon as I asked, What trouble could I cause in this state?, they said, I told you to shut the f*ck up. As a member who was not as well-known, he said he did not notify the agency out of fear and hoped for the incident to pass by quietly and is deeply regretting and reflecting upon his wrong judgement. The agency also stated that although Choi Jonghoon was caught drunk driving, there was no collusion with the police. March 25: Chosun Ilbo reportedthat National Tax Service of South Korea previously announced on March 22 that it was undergoing probe into 21 nightclubs throughout the country on suspicions of tax evasion. The scandal has revealed a sordid underbelly in the strictly mediated industry, where K-pop stars personal lives are rigorously controlled by their record labels, with no room for dissent or screw-ups. A woman who appeared to be drugged was completely nude while having sex with a man. South Korean police confirmed that they were seeking aid from Chinese authorities regarding the alleged illegal activities of a Taiwanese businesswoman in relation to Burning Sun and the ongoing investigation. Dispatch reported that the chats where Seungri allegedly talks about soliciting prostitution were held in this same chatroom. Others did it too. They also claimed that the chats shed light on clubs around Gangnam, where many celebrities frequently attended, as well as suspicion of cohesion with police. Systemic corruption has allowed the countrys ruling class to act above the law and women are paying the price. 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