Pianist Accused of Prostitution Denies All Charges at First Trial

Requested Formal Trial After Rejecting Summary Order
"Evidence Collected Illegally"

Court. Asia Economy DB

Pianist A, accused of prostitution charges, denied the allegations at the first trial.

On the 14th, A's lawyer appeared at the first trial session held under the presiding of Chief Judge Kim Yoorang of Criminal Division 14 at the Seoul Central District Court and stated, "We deny all criminal charges." A's side argued, "The investigation itself was initiated based on illegally obtained evidence," and "there is no sufficient proof of the crime due to lack of evidentiary validity."

When the court asked, "Are you saying that the facts themselves did not occur?" A replied, "I do not remember that part clearly." The court decided to proceed with witness examination after receiving additional evidence requests.

Earlier, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul received a complaint against A in September last year and launched an investigation. A is accused of engaging in prostitution at a massage parlor in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in 2020. Although A strongly denied the charges, a summary order imposing a fine of 2 million won was issued. A summary order is a procedure that imposes fines or penalties without a trial. However, A appealed this and requested a formal trial in December of the same year.

Meanwhile, A is known as a distinguished pianist with awards from the Tchaikovsky Competition, Chopin Competition, and other top three global competitions.