A Japanese woman accused of unexpectedly kissing K-pop group BTS’ member Jin at a fan-hugging event in June 2024 was transferred to prosecution, according to police.
The Songpa Police Station said Thursday that it transferred the case to the prosecution on charges of sexual harassment in a public space. The transfer comes a little after two months since the police booked the suspect on Feb. 27.
The Japanese woman in her 50s is accused of kissing the K-pop star during a “free hug event” attended by 1,000 fans on June 13, 2024, a day after Jin’s discharge from the military.
A video of the woman kissing Jin, as well as his flustered reaction, circulated the internet after the woman wrote on her blog, “My lips touched his neck. His skin was extremely soft.” When the incident stirred controversy online, an internet user filed a complaint against the woman, prompting police investigations.
Though Songpa Police Station filed a summons against the woman to appear for questioning after booking her in late February with the help of Japanese Interpol, the woman was uncooperative as she refused to appear. The police decided to halt investigations in March, citing that it would take time for a foreign woman residing out of the country to appear for questioning.
However, the fan reportedly recently entered South Korea and voluntarily appeared before the police.
The police added that they also found evidence of another woman kissing Jin during investigations, but were unable to identify her.
Meanwhile, under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, a person convicted of sexual harassment in a crowded public space may face imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won ($21,494).
lee.jungjoo@heraldcorp.com
