Choi Min-hwan Explains Police Statement Call Recording
"To Go to an Entertainment Venue, Not a Prostitution Establishment"
Case Not Prosecuted Due to Insufficient Evidence and Other Reasons
Choi Min-hwan of the group FT Island was reported to have stated that although he frequently visited entertainment establishments, he did not engage in prostitution.
According to a police investigation notification obtained by Sports Kyunghyang on the 20th, Choi Min-hwan was cleared of charges related to violating the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Arranging Sexual Traffic due to insufficient evidence. On July 9, 2022, around 5 a.m., Choi contacted a person identified as A, an employee of an entertainment bar located on Nonhyeon-ro in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, inquiring about prostitution establishments, and was accused of paying a woman and engaging in prostitution.
During the investigation, the police confirmed that words such as "TC," "judae," and "agassi" were used in phone conversations between Choi and A. It was also understood that Choi inquired about visiting a specific establishment considering its business practices. However, Choi stated during the testimony, "I asked A and often went to entertainment establishments, but I never engaged in prostitution," and added, "I don't even remember if I actually went to the mentioned entertainment establishments." A also claimed, "The conversation with Choi was about going to an entertainment establishment, not a prostitution establishment." The police concluded that the recorded conversations alone could not confirm the prostitution charges, there was no other evidence to contradict their statements, and the content of the conversation was about entertainment establishments rather than prostitution establishments, leading to a decision not to prosecute on the 29th of last month.
Earlier, Choi Min-hwan's ex-wife, Yulhee, formerly of Laboum, alleged his involvement in prostitution around a year before their divorce in October. At the time, Yulhee stated, "(Choi Min-hwan) touched my body in front of family members and even put money here (on my chest)," and explained, "How would someone his age know about such establishments? Later, I realized that kind of drunken behavior was habitual." She also released a recorded phone conversation between Choi and a male acquaintance. In the recording, Choi was heard saying things like, "They say there are no women here today," "Please send me the account number because I need to pay 2.3 million won from last time," and "Can you book a hotel I can go to now? A motel is fine too."
After being cleared of charges, Choi Min-hwan posted a statement on the fan communication platform 'Weverse' on the 18th to clarify the controversy. He said, "Being part of a company and a group, I often feel there are too many things to protect beyond my own position," and added, "As reported in the media, I have never engaged in prostitution and was cleared due to insufficient evidence. How can I prove something I did not do? That is why I had nothing to say." He continued, "The hotel and motel mentioned in the recordings were places I went to because I wanted to be alone at the time," and said, "I understand it might be hard to believe this. I wish there was clear evidence, but since there isn't, I am sorry." He appealed, "I had no way to explain or make excuses. I just want people to know that it really wasn't me," and concluded, "I have no intention to hide or run away. I am truly sorry."
However, one fan expressed suspicion in a comment, saying, "You said you went to the hotel and motel to be alone, but what about asking to prepare two of ○○ and two of ○○? You deny engaging in prostitution, but can't you deny ever going to such establishments until the end?" In response, Choi Min-hwan replied, "I don't know what ○○ and ○○ refer to, but are you perhaps talking about conditioner and toothbrush?" He added, "I don't know if I should say this, but I have been tied up for a long time through a vasectomy. So I don't need condoms, and I always carry a toothbrush for hygiene wherever I go, so why does this raise curiosity?"
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