Chronology of Seungri Being Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Prostitution, Crying but Netizens Say Not Long Enough

Kapanlagi.com - Investigation into the case involving Seungri is still ongoing even when he is serving in the military as a former member of Big Bang. Seungri is participating in the investigation process and attending the military court hearings.

In the court hearing held on Thursday (1/7), the prosecution submitted charges based on the seriousness of Seungri's crimes. He is sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of 20 million won (approximately Rp 256.8 million) for nine charges, including prostitution, embezzlement, and special assault.

1. Say a Message to Jung Joon Young 'Typo'

© TPG Images

During the 24th interrogation session at the military court on Wednesday (30/6), Seungri was asked about the chat in Jung Joon Young's katalk group where his foreign acquaintances visited the club with their friends. When talking to the club's MD, one of the chat group members asked about entertaining foreigners and Seungri replied, "Who are those women? Are they doing well?"

Seungri also answered questions about the text. The man born on December 12, 1990, claimed that the text message related to providing prostitutes in katalk addressed to Jung Joon Young was actually a typo.

"That was a katalk from 7 years ago. I remember asking if they were 'having fun at the party'. I used an iPhone so I thought the typo was caused by autocorrect. I apologize for causing confusion, but I didn't arrange prostitution," he said, as quoted from Daily Naver.

2. Deny Allegations

Furthermore, Seungri strongly defended himself and denied all allegations of prostitution, illegal filming, gambling, and embezzlement directed towards him. In this trial, Seungri's parents were also present and witnessed the prosecutor interrogating their son from the audience section.

Seungri emphasized that all allegations of sex trafficking were led by former CEO Yuri Holdings Yoo In Seok and stated that he became a co-CEO in the company because he was asked by the person in question.

When asked about the testimonies of women A & B claiming they were prostituted at his house, Seungri stated, "I was actively promoting at that time, so it is impossible for me to pay for prostitution. My parents and younger sibling live next door and visit from time to time because they have the passcode to my house. Would I do it knowing that my parents could enter anytime?"

When asked about Yoo In Seok gifting prostitutes to his house, Seungri stated, "I don't remember any activities related to prostitution."

3. Claimed to be Treated Unfairly

Due to the numerous allegations directed at Seungri, the 24th hearing held on Wednesday (30/6) continued in an additional hearing on Thursday (1/7) afternoon. Regarding the 'Burning Sun' allegations, which include embezzlement, violation of the Food Sanitation Law, hidden cameras, assault, prostitution, etc., Seungri stated that he was in a disadvantaged position because the investigation was conducted in a way that could only lead to his arrest.

"The intensity of the police investigation is beyond my imagination. There are 9 charges that were somehow fabricated during the police investigation. There is a problem of collusion between the police and the 'police chief', so strict investigation orders were issued from the superiors," said Seungri, who has been investigated by the police more than 50 times.

"I cannot forget the fear I had to experience during the investigation. All police departments investigated me and the 4th National Tax Service Bureau even told me that I was the first individual they have ever investigated. The police tried to arrest me for drugs, how is it possible to arrest someone just because of drugs..?" he added.

According to Seungri's statement, he felt cornered by the police's questioning during the investigation process.

"The police said I am a 'drug expert with the face of a drug addict.' The second time they called me in, they asked me about transactions worth 10 years of transactions." For the third time, they asked me, 'Do you really not use drugs? Tell us about the drug dealers among celebrities.' I became the target of a forced investigation that seemed to have planned results beforehand,' he said.

'No one knows because the police have never made an official announcement that I do not use drugs. Although the trial has not ended, I live my military life as a 'criminal idol.' Detectives told me, 'We will arrest you unconditionally and expose you so that you all will fall like dominoes. Confess to your lawyer.' As a public figure, I deserve to receive that criticism, but as an individual, it is very difficult to bear. It's very difficult, but I am waiting for today to speak,' he continued.

4. Apologize and Bow

Seungri also denied claims that he fled to the military to avoid investigation.

"I received the military draft notice in November 2018 and the Burning Sun incident happened in January 2019. The date of my military enlistment was March 25, 2019. They kept saying that I was trying to avoid the military service, so I requested a postponement to cooperate with the investigation and attended 52 investigation calls. I was raided, searched, and investigated throughout the week before entering the military," he said.

"As a public figure and a beloved person, it is reasonable for me to be criticized for alleged involvement in such indecent things, but it is not true. I apologize. I want to apologize for the revealed chats and various discoveries. I apologize. I am ashamed and regretful," he concluded by bowing his head.

5. Crying When Knowing Being Demanded 5 Years

On Thursday (1/7) morning, Colonel Judge Min Je Hwang held the 25th trial for the Seungri prostitution case and other 'Burning Sun' accusations. The trial was held after a record-breaking 17-hour interrogation that lasted for two consecutive days.

Although Seungri reiterated his position and denied all the accusations addressed to him, the prosecutor insisted on the initial demand. The prosecutor requested the court to give a 5-year prison sentence and a fine of 20 million due to the poor quality of Seungri's crimes that have been going on for years. Seungri is the one who benefited from the crime, but he still refuses to admit it and continues to blame others involved.

Hearing the demand, Seungri shed tears and stated, "I promise to be born again. I apologize to former colleagues, former agency officials, and the family who had to go through difficult times because of me."

On the other hand, netizens feel that a 5-year prison sentence is not enough for the crimes committed by Seungri. Many agree that Seungri should spend more time behind bars to atone for the 9 charges against him.

(dai/rsp)