"Overseas prostitution is also punishable"… Joo Hak-nyeon, complaint filed with the National Complaints Center → police investigation commenced
Joo Hak-nyeon (26), a former member of the boy group The Boyz, has been accused of prostitution in a complaint filed with the National Complaints Center, leading to a police investigation. The controversy has escalated beyond a simple private issue, as domestic law allows for criminal penalties for 'overseas prostitution.'
On the 19th, a complaint stating, "Please investigate the overseas prostitution allegations against Joo Hak-nyeon and the involvement of company officials" was officially received by the National Complaints Center. The complainant submitted the complaint to the Women's and Youth Division, Team 4 for Youth Crime Investigation at the Seoul Gangnam Police Station, and the case has been assigned.
The complainant pointed out, "This matter is not merely an individual deviation but a structural problem in the entertainment industry." He added, "There are reports that Joo Hak-nyeon engaged in sexual relations and paid a fee with a former adult video actress during his stay in Japan. This constitutes a clear violation of the Act on the Punishment of Acts such as Prostitution Mediation," claiming, "The former producer of the agency has also been excluded from work due to issues related to prostitution. Thorough investigations into possible abetting or complicity must be conducted."
The complainant emphasized the need for an expanded investigation into the entertainment industry, stating, "It is a social irresponsibility for an idol, who should convey dreams and hopes to youth, to be involved in prostitution."
The complaint was made based on Article 21 of the Act on the Punishment of Acts such as Prostitution Mediation. According to the law, anyone who engages in prostitution can be sentenced to up to one year in prison or fined up to 3 million won, and Korean nationals who engage in prostitution abroad are also subject to punishment under domestic law.
Joo Hak-nyeon was embroiled in controversy following reports from Japanese media that he had a drinking meeting with **former adult video actress and influencer Asuka Kirara (37)** in Roppongi, Tokyo. The report indicated that Joo Hak-nyeon had physical contact beyond skinship with the woman during his stay in Japan last month, and there were indications of compensation.
In response, Joo Hak-nyeon posted a handwritten letter on social media early on the 19th, stating, "It is true that I attended a drinking gathering with acquaintances, but I have never engaged in prostitution or any illegal activities," completely denying the allegations. However, public opinion is showing a cold response. Some fans expressed their disappointment, stating, "Regardless of the legality, the image and trust of him as an idol have already collapsed."
As the controversy spread, his agency, One Hundred, officially announced on the 18th, "After sufficient discussions with members of The Boyz, we have ultimately decided on Joo Hak-nyeon's departure from the team and the termination of his exclusive contract." The agency added, "We take the seriousness of this issue very seriously and recognized that it is challenging to maintain trust as an artist during the fact-finding process."
The investigation is now in the hands of the police. The Women's and Youth Division at the Seoul Gangnam Police Station stated, "We plan to conduct a fair and stringent investigation to uncover the factual truth of the case," indicating that an enforcement investigation would be carried out. This incident is expected to serve as a significant turning point that prompts a reconsideration of trust and ethics in the entire K-pop industry, beyond just a simple controversy involving an entertainer.
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