South Korean authorities have temporarily suspended their investigation into a Japanese woman accused of sexually harassing BTS member Kim Seokjin, aka Jin, at a fan event in June 2024. The police cited difficulties in contacting the woman, who has been residing abroad for more than two months, as the primary reason for pausing the probe.
However, officials confirmed that the case remains open and could be resumed if new developments arise.
What exactly happened?
The controversy unfolded during Jin's first major public gathering following his military discharge, marking his return and the group’s anniversary celebration. The highly anticipated event allowed 1,000 fans to meet Jin and receive a free hug. However, amid the excitement, an unexpected incident occurred when a Japanese woman in her reportedly 50s forcefully kissed Jin on his neck without consent.
Take a look at the video:
The moment left the singer visibly uncomfortable, and a fan promptly filed a criminal complaint against the woman, triggering a police investigation.
As per reports from Yonhap News Agency, the woman later detailed the incident in a blog post, saying, "My lips touched his neck. His skin was so soft." This statement further intensified outrage among BTS fans, known as ARMY, who took to social media to criticise the incident and demand stricter measures for artists' safety at public events.
Meanwhile, authorities have uncovered additional evidence suggesting that another woman may have inappropriately touched Jin during the same event. However, her identity remains unknown, and the police have yet to locate her.
