'Burning Sun Gate' Seungri Enlists Today... Will He Make a Statement?

Former Big Bang member Seungri (real name Lee Seung-hyun). Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Seungri (30, real name Lee Seung-hyun), former member of the group Big Bang, who is accused of procuring prostitution and overseas gambling, will enlist for active duty on the 9th.

Seungri will enter the Army's 6th Division Recruit Training Center in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province, in the afternoon. After completing five weeks of basic military training, he will be assigned to a unit and serve on active duty.

Although Seungri was eligible for enlistment since last year, he postponed his enlistment once to undergo investigation for allegations including overseas gambling worth around 1 billion KRW and procuring prostitution.

With Seungri's enlistment, the remaining trial will be transferred to the military court.

There is keen interest in whether Seungri will make a statement before his enlistment on the day.

Due to the recent spread of the novel coronavirus infection, external events and schedules have been canceled, but since the enlistment ceremony will be held outdoors, there are no special restrictions, and many reporters and fans are expected to gather.

Seungri became the center of controversy last year due to the so-called 'Burning Sun Gate.' The Gangnam club Burning Sun, where Seungri served as an inside director, is suspected of illegal activities such as assault, police collusion, and tax evasion.

Seungri claims he is 'not involved in club management,' but investigations have been conducted as circumstances suggesting he was the actual owner have been uncovered.

The police conducted multiple summons investigations of Seungri and applied for an arrest warrant in May last year on charges including prostitution, procuring prostitution, violation of the Food Sanitation Act, embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, and embezzlement in the course of business.

However, the court dismissed the warrant, judging there was no risk of evidence destruction or flight.

Subsequently, the prosecution added two charges in January, including violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (filming using cameras, etc.) and habitual gambling, and re-applied for an arrest warrant, but the court dismissed it again.