Seungri

Allegations and departure from YG

In 2019, a number of allegations related to club Burning Sun, a nightclub founded in 2018 and managed by two CEOs; Lee Moon-ho and Lee Seong-hyun^[1] surrounded the singer Seungri due to his affiliation with the business as a creative director/shareholder^[1] and occasional DJ. The allegations included drug use and arranging sexual favors for investors, among others. Media also shared KakaoTalk conversations with messages allegedly shared between the singer and Burning Sun employees about such arrangements in relation to the prostitution allegation, but during a press conference on March 4 the police revealed that the original unedited KakaoTalk messages were not submitted.^[2] However, Seungri denied the allegations^[2] and journalists later admitted that they manipulated some of the chats, presenting some private conversations as part of group chats.^[3] On March 10, Seungri underwent a second round of drug analysis; hair and urine samples were tested, and the results were negative.^{[4] [5]} On March 11, 2019, Seungri announced on his Instagram account his retirement from the entertainment industry, stating that the criticism and hate he received in the past month had driven him to this move in order to protect BigBang and YG Entertainment. He also stated that he would fully cooperate with the investigation. This led to the consensual termination of his contract with his agency YG Entertainment on March 13.^[6][7]

Arrest warrants

On April 1, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency reported that Seungri and his business partner Yoo In-seok (co-CEO of Yuri Holdings) embezzled funds from Yuri Holdings for business purposes. The amount was reported to be about tens of millions of won (₩10 million ≈ US$8,400).^[8] On April 25, Seungri denied the prostitution charges related to a 2015 Christmas party, while Yoo In-seok admitted that he called and paid for entertainers for Japanese investors. The hotel bill was reportedly paid using a YG Entertainment corporate card, however Seungri denied knowing about the occurrence of prostitution.^[9][10]

On May 8, after a total of 17 closed-door police interrogations, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency requested an arrest warrant for Seungri over the following charges: prostitution mediation, embezzlement of Burning Sun funds (according to the police, Seungri directly intervened in the misappropriation of about 200M Won from Burning Sun as brand fee for Monkey Museum, a bar owned by Seungri), and violation of the Food Sanitation Act (related to Monkey Museum wrongfully registering business).^[11] On May 14, Seoul District Court rejected the arrest warrant saying that embezzlement, a major charge, was open to dispute, and that it was difficult to certify the reasons for detention have been met, such as the destruction of evidence, for the remaining suspicions which included prostitution mediation.^[12] In addition, the court's reason for rejection included prosecution's inability to show the existence and scope of criminal liability of Seungri.^[13] On May 15, police stated that it would be difficult to reapply for arrest warrant, and they would finalize the investigation prior to Seungri's military enlistment date.^[14]

However, on June 25, the police stated that his case has been forwarded to prosecution with seven charges: procuring sex service, prostitution mediation, embezzlement of business funds for hiring a legal representative, embezzlement of club Burning Sun revenues, attempt at destruction of evidence, distribution of illegally-filmed content via social platforms, and violation of the Food Sanitation Act.^[15][16] On August 28, 2019, Seungri was additionally questioned in connection with illegal gambling.^[17][18] On January 10, 2020, the prosecution announced they had requested a second arrest warrant for Seungri on seven charges.^[19] The arrest warrant was again denied, with the court saying that detention didn't seem necessary considering his attitude towards the investigation and not meeting reasons for detention.^[20]

Trial

Seungri enlisted in the military on March 9, 2020, and his case was transferred to the military court.^[21] His trial started on September 16, consisting in eight charges. Seungri denied all charges except one, violation of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, for which he stated he was deeply reflecting on his mistake.^[22]

Regarding the allegations related to prostitution (prostitution mediation and prostitution for self), Seungri's lawyer stated that Seungri had no reason to mediate prostitution and that he didn't recall having sexual intercourse with the woman in question, who he thought was just a person who wanted to meet him.^[22] During the trial, the witnesses confirmed that it was Yoo In-Seok who ordered prostitution, not Seungri.^[23][24]

Regarding the charge of distributing obscene material, Seungri's defense stated that he only shared with friends a photo that was not taken by him, but was sent to him from an entertainment bar.^[22]

For the charge of habitual gambling, Seungri's lawyer answered that Seungri didn't gamble as a habit, and that he visited the U.S. for work and not purposely for gambling. Habitual gambling is illegal but not gambling for momentary pleasure.^[22]

The charge of embezzlement is divided in two different charges, for which Seungri's side declared that Seungri had no motive or intent to commit embezzlement.^[25][22] Seungri's charges also include Violation of Food Sanitation Act (for inappropriately declaring Monkey Museum as a restaurant instead of an entertainment establishment).^[22]

On January 14, the prosecution added the charge of eliciting violence against Seungri. In 2015, a drunk customer in a bar entered into the private room of Seungri and his acquaintances: the prosecution claimed that after an argument, Seungri called Yoo In-Seok who involved gang members into the argument to threaten the man. The prosecution claimed Seungri conspired with Yoo thus charging him as instigating co-conspirator.^[26] However, Seungri claimed that he didn't have anything to do with the gangsters, and during the 15th hearing one of the alleged victims said that he didn't feel threatened at the time, while the other one stated that he didn't know at all that Seungri could be related to the incident.^[27]

The trial also encountered an issue related to confirmation bias: on March 25, 2021, after the 13th hearing for Seungri's trial, a witness claimed that the police had written up a statement against Seungri that he actually never made. Prosecution's other witnesses also claimed that the investigators put pressure on them in giving false testimonies, probably due to the pressure from media and public to find Seungri guilty. Many of the witnesses also claimed that the prosecution slightly changed their answers or seemed to have designed questioning with the target of arriving at Seungri's name.^[28][29][30]

On August 12, 2021, Seungri was sentenced to a three-year prison term, a fine of ₩1.15 billion (US$990,000), and immediate detention.^[31]

On January 27, 2022, after a final appeal at the South Korean High Court for Armed Forces, his prison sentence was reduced to 18 months. Seungri pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him. He also stated that he would reflect on his actions.^[32]

His sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court of Korea on May 26, 2022, whereupon Seungri was discharged from the military and transferred to a civilian prison to serve the remainder of his term.^[33]

On February 6, 2023, it was reported that Seungri would be released from prison on February 11.^[34] On February 9, 2023, Seungri was released from prison.^[35]

Special Violence

Gangnam Police Station accepted the criminal complaint against Seungri for special violence (violence with weapons involved). The complaint. a man in his 30s, claimed that he was violated by Seungri while eating at a restaurant.^[36] Seungri has claimed that the complaint has demanded to sit with him while he was drunk, and that although it is true that he held up his bottle of alcohol while rejecting, he has not committed any violence against the complaint.^[37][38]

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2. "Gov't has Seungri's sordid texts". Korea JoongAng Daily. March 5, 2019. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
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5. "Burning Sun scandal in K-pop industry resurfaces after BBC documentary". The Korea Times. May 21, 2024.
6. "YG 측 "승리 요청에 계약 종료, 대대적 체질 개선 필요성 절감" [전문]". Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
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8. 승리·유인석, 유리홀딩스 자금 횡령 의혹 추가 입건. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
9. 호텔비 3000만원 결제...승리, 성접대 정말 몰랐나. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
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16. "Police impose exit bans on ex-YG Entertainment chief, Seungri over alleged gambling". August 20, 2019. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
17. "K-pop scandal: Seungri questioned over Las Vegas gambling". August 28, 2019. Archived from the original on August 28, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
18. "K-Pop Scandal: YG Pair Questioned by Police, Seungri Admits Some Charges". August 29, 2019. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
19. Ock, Hyun-ju (January 10, 2020). "[Newsmaker] Arrest warrant sought for Seungri over procuring prostitutes, illegal gambling". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on January 13, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
20. "Court denies arrest warrant for ex-BIGBANG member Seungri". Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
21. '해외 원정 도박 및 성매매 알선 혐의' 승리, 오늘 입대[엑's HD포토]. www.xportsnews.com (in Korean). March 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
22. Law, Sabah S. Themis, B. S. of Political Science, J. D. in Law and LL M. in International (September 20, 2020). "Seungri's military court trial begins| Sabah S. Themis, B.S. of Political Science, J.D. in Law and LL.M. in International Law". BusinessMirror. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
23. Themis, Sabah S. (December 15, 2020). "Prosecution witnesses' testimonies favor Seungri". BusinessMirror. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
24. '승리 재판' 증인 "성접대 지시, 승리 아닌 유인석이 했다". Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
25. "Why is everyone talking about Seungri again?". BusinessMirror. December 8, 2019. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
26. Law, Sabah S. Themis, B. S. of Political Science, J. D. in Law and LL M. in International (January 22, 2021). "Prosecution presents additional charge against Seungri| Sabah S. Themis, B.S. of Political Science, J.D. in Law and LL.M. in International Law". BusinessMirror. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
27. 승리 폭행교사혐의 피해자 "술자리 해프닝으로 생각했는데..." [MK현장]. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
28. 유흥업소 여성 "승리 차 탄 적 없다"...조서 부인한 증인들[MK현장]. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
29. "Seungri's 13th case hearing reveals confirmation bias| BMPlus". BusinessMirror. April 16, 2021. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
30. "Disgraced K-pop star Seungri faces 5 years in prison for sex, gambling scandal". The Korea Times. July 2, 2021. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
31. Yoo, Cheong-Mo (August 12, 2021). "Disgraced K-pop star Seungri gets 3-year prison term in sex, gambling scandal". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
32. Cite error: The named reference nme.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
33. Kim, Han-joo (May 26, 2022). "(LEAD) Supreme Court upholds 1 1/2-yr prison term for disgraced K-pop star Seungri". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
34. Jeon, Jae-kyung (February 6, 2023). 승리, 11일 만기 출소...그는 K팝계에 뭘 던졌나 [Seungri, released from prison due on the 11th... What did he throw at the K-pop world?] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023 – via Naver.
35. Ahn Tae-hyun; Park Joo-pyeong (February 9, 2023). '성매매·상습도박' 빅뱅 출신 승리, 1년6개월 수감생활 끝 오늘 만기 출소(종합) ['Prostitution and Habitual Gambling' BIGBANG's Seungri, 1 year and 6 months in prison, released today (comprehensive)] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023 – via Naver.
36. Hwang, Hyejin (September 10, 2026). "빅뱅 출신 승리, 특수폭행 혐의 피소…요란한 생존신고". Newsen. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
37. Baek, Jieun (September 13, 2026). ""술병 들었지만 폭행NO"…前 빅뱅 승리, 고소 현장 사진 보니[SC이슈]". Retrieved September 13, 2026.
38. Noh, Heesun (September 13, 2026). ""폭행당했다" vs "술병만 들었을 뿐"…'빅뱅 출신' 승리, 또 경찰 조사 파문". Nate News. Retrieved September 13, 2026.

버닝썬 폭행 및 성접대 의혹

버닝썬 폭행 사건

승리가 운영하였던 강남의 클럽 "버닝썬"에서 20대 남성이 ‘집단 폭행’논란에 휩싸였다. 28일 방송된 MBC 뉴스데스크에서는 서울 강남구 역삼동 "버닝썬"에서 보안 요원들에게 집단 폭행을 당한 20대 손님 김상교 씨가 오히려 가해자가 됐다는 내용을 보도했다. 공개된 CCTV 영상에는 보안요원들이 한 남성을 클럽 밖으로 끌고 나오고 클럽 이사 장 모 씨가 이 남성을 폭행하는 모습이 담겨있다. 피해자 김상교 씨는 "가드(보안 요원)들이 도와주고 한 명이 주도적으로 저를 때렸다. 수치스러웠다."라고 말했다. 상해진단서를 받은 김상교 씨는 갈비뼈 3대 골절과 함께 전치 5주 진단을 받았다. 하지만 신고를 받고 출동한 경찰은 클럽 관계자와 이야기를 주고받은 후 김상교 씨에게 수갑을 채웠다고 한다. 이에 대해 김상교 씨는 경찰이 자신을 그냥 취객 취급했으며 얘기를 안 들어줬다고 호소했다. 김상교 씨는 보안 요원들이 경찰에 “ ‘자기네 들은 때린 적 없다’고 했다”고 했다며 당시 상황을 전했다. 또 경찰은 클럽 안에도 들어가지 않고 CCTV 등을 확인하지도 않은 채 김상교 씨를 체포해 물의를 빚고 있다. 이에 클럽 측은 “김상교 씨가 성추행을 했느니 안 했느니를 놓고 다른 손님과 시비가 붙어, 성추행 가해자로 지목된 김상교 씨를 밖으로 데리고 나와 때렸다”며 폭행 사실을 인정했다. 경찰 관계자도 “(당시)김상교 씨는 흥분된 상태에서 쓰레기를 발로 차며 업무 방해를 해 클럽 측에서 업무 방해 부분 피해를 주장, 이를 제지하는 과정에서 체포에 불응해 현행범으로 체포를 했다”며 당시 상황을 설명했다. 경찰은 현재 이 사건을 쌍방 폭행으로 조사했다. 보도 이후 온라인 커뮤니티에는 해당 클럽이 빅뱅 승리가 운영 중인 곳으로 알려지면서 승리의 공식적인 입장문을 요구하는 누리꾼들의 목소리가 커지고 있었다.^[1]

성접대 의혹

2019년 3월 10일 서울지방경찰청은 성매매알선 등 행위의 처벌에 관한 법률 위반 혐의로 승리를 입건하였다.^[2]

2019년 3월 11일 승리가 버닝썬 사건과 관련하여 연예계 은퇴를 선언했다. 해당 카카오톡 단체 대화방에 다른 연예인들이 함께 있었던 것으로 밝혀졌다.^[3] 그리고 경찰은 성매매 특별법 위반 혐의로 출국금지 조치했다.^[4]

2020년 1월 8일 검찰은 성폭력범죄의 처벌 등에 관한 특례법 위반 등 7가지 혐의로 승리에게 구속영장을 청구했으나 기각되었다.^[5]

3월 9일 청성신병교육대에 입소하여 5주간 기초 군사훈련을 받고 5군단 예하 부대에 들어갔다.

승리는 2013년 12월부터 약 3년 반 동안 미국 라스베거스 등지에서 여러 차례 도박을 한 혐의(상습도박)와 도박자금을 달러로 빌리면서 사전신고를 하지 않은 혐의(외국환거래법 위반)로 기소됐다. 여기에는 2015년 9월~2016년 1월 해외 투자자에게 성매매를 알선한 혐의, 카카오톡으로 여성의 신체사진을 전송한 혐의 등도 공소사실에 포함됐다.

승리와 라운지바 '몽키뮤지엄'을 운영한 유인석 전 유리홀딩스 대표는 5월 15일 서울중앙지법에서 열린 첫 공판에서 성매매 알선·횡령 등 혐의를 인정했다. 함께 재판에 넘겨진 유흥업소 여직원 최씨 등도 당시 재판에서 성매매를 알선 혐의와 관련된 사실관계를 인정했다.

서울중앙지법 제26형사부는 5월 15일 승리 관련 재판을 제5군단사령부 보통군사법원으로 이송했으나 직접 재판을 맡지 않고 상급부대인 지상작전사령부 보통군사법원으로 이첩해 6월 23일 사건을 접수했다.

승리는 군사법원에서 2013년 12월부터 약 3년 반 동안 미국 라스베이거스 등지에서 여러 차례 도박을 한 혐의(상습도박)와 도박자금을 달러로 빌리면서 사전신고를 하지 않은 혐의(외국환거래법 위반)로 기소됐다.

죄목: Δ특정경제범죄가중처벌등에관한법률위반(횡령) Δ식품위생법위반 Δ업무상횡령 Δ성폭력범죄의처벌등에관한특례법위반(카메라등이용촬영) Δ성매매알선등행위의처벌에관한법률위반(성매매알선등) Δ상습도박 Δ외국환거래법위반 Δ성매매알선등행위의처벌에관한법률위반(성매매)

관련기사

1. '빅뱅 팔이' 승리, 7년 전 발표한 사업계획도 재조명..."버닝썬 아니어도 감옥 갔을 수준" 2024년 1월 31일 확인.
2. “빅뱅 승리 '성매매 알선' 혐의 입건…마약류 검사는 '음성'”. 연합뉴스. 2019년 3월 10일. 
3. “승리 "연예계 은퇴…'국민 역적'으로 몰린 상황"(종합)”. 연합뉴스. 2019년 3월 11일. 
4. “경찰 '투자자 성매매 알선 의혹' 승리 출국금지 조치”. news1. 2019년 3월 11일. 
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