FT Island Choi Min-hwan accused of 'sexual trafficking'

FT Island Choi Minhwan [Courtesy of OSEN]

Choi Min-hwan, an FT Island member who was found to have entered the entertainment establishment, was accused of prostitution.

A netizen who said he was a fan of FT Island told an online community today (25th) that he was "shocked to hear that Yul-hee released a transcript containing the circumstances of her ex-husband Choi Min-hwan's entry into the business," adding, "We asked the police to investigate Choi Min-hwan and the broker A on charges of violating the Special Act on Prostitution."

The netizen said, "Even if Choi Min-hwan has no intention of actually moving to prostitution, punishment is inevitable as the crime of 'sexual trafficking' is established." "We strongly urge the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul to thoroughly investigate Choi Min-hwan and A's alleged violations of the Sex Trafficking Punishment Act and punish them strictly if they are found to be guilty of crimes."

The case is currently distributed to the Women and Youth Division of the Gangnam Police Station, and the police are said to have launched an investigation (internal investigation) before the bookings.

According to Article 19 (Penalty) 1 of the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Intermediation of Sex Trafficking, etc. currently in effect, those who recruit and receive a price for selling sex, and those who introduce and arrange jobs to sell sex and receive a price shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than three years or a fine of not more than 30 million won.

Choi Min-hwan's ex-wife, Yul-hee, said on her YouTube channel on the 24th that Choi Min-hwan's access to the business was one of the reasons for the divorce."(Choi Min-hwan) touched my body in front of my family and put money in this (chest)," he said. "I didn't know why, but later I found out that such drinking was a habit."

In addition, Yulhee released a recording of Choi Min-hwan's phone call with an acquaintance who appeared to be a business official between July and August 2022. In the voice file, Choi Min-hwan said, "I want to go play. Do you have a place to go? OOO doesn't have a girl," "Even if I wait for an hour or two, where should I go to play until 7?" and "How long is the fountain there?"

Choi Min-hwan's agency, FNC Entertainment, said, "We apologize for causing inconvenience and concern to many people," adding, "We want to stop all media activities, including broadcasts that are appearing with children."

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