A male K-pop idol is facing charges of sexual molestation and “imitative rape” of a fellow member.
The unnamed K-pop idol, who was part of a six-member boy band, is on trial for the charges, which he allegedly committed during their trainee days and after their debut.
Image by Rochak Shukla on Freepik
OnlyOneOf (Twitter)
At the trial on March 29 at the Seoul Central District Court, the prosecution has asked the court to sentence the K-pop idol to three years in prison, disclose his identity, order him to complete a sexual violence treatment program and restrict his employment for five years.
The Seoul Shinmun newspaper reported that the K-pop idol allegedly touched the body of another member three times from 2017 to 2021 in their dorm and practice room.
The victim reported the incidents to the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul in 2021 and the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office indicted the K-pop idol for indecent assault and imitative rape in January.
The suspect acknowledged most of the charges and expressed his intention to reflect.
"(At the time) I was too drunk to remember," he said. After the incident, he left the K-pop boy band and stopped his activities.
Under Korea’s Criminal Act, imitative rape is punishable for at least two years of imprisonment.
“A person who, by means of violence or intimidation, inserts his or her sexual organ into another's body part (excluding a genital organ), such as mouth or anus, or inserts his or her finger or other bodily part (excluding a genital organ) or any instrument into another's genital organ or anus shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for a limited term of at least two years,” according to the law.
“Indecent Act by Compulsion” is punishable by imprisonment of not more than 10 years.
“A person who, through violence or intimidation, commits an indecent act on another shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than ten years or by a fine not exceeding 15 million won [about $11,426],” it stated.
After the news reports came out, there were rumors that it was referring to boy band OnlyOneOf.
"Today, false facts are being spread through social media regarding the content of the exclusive report on the prosecution of an idol member by a media outlet. The article has nothing to do with OnlyOneOf,” said 8D Entertainment, the group’s agency.
It added, "We would like to inform you that we will take strong legal action and take strong action if false facts about OnlyOneOf are continuously discovered in the future."