Chef Triple Star (real name Kang Seung-won) expressed his feelings after police cleared him of allegations that he embezzled restaurant funds.
On the 19th, Triple Star said, "Hello. I am Kang Seung-won, who appeared as Triple Star on "Culinary Class Wars." Around this time last year, when I was receiving excessive love, the result came out regarding the allegation of embezzlement in the course of duty filed by my ex-wife."
Triple Star said, "In September, I received notice from the Seoul Gangnam Police Station that the investigation resulted in non-prosecution (no charges), and recently the prosecution confirmed a decision of no charges."
He added, "During that time I secured evidence that could refute the claims through phone forensics, but I remained silent about many unfounded speculations because the rebuttal would inevitably contain personal details about my non-public ex-wife, and I did not want to affect her new life," he explained.
At the same time, Triple Star said, "However, I will respond through legal procedures to malicious posts on the internet that criticize me based on groundless rumors."
Triple Star concluded his message by saying, "I sincerely thank everyone who visited the restaurant and supported us over the past year. Based on the much support and love I gained through "Culinary Class Wars" and the lessons learned from the long legal battle over the past year, I will do my best in my position to become a better chef."
According to the police that day, the Seoul Gangnam Police Station decided last month not to prosecute regarding Triple Star's alleged embezzlement in the course of duty.
The police said it was difficult to view the ex-wife's claim that he diverted some of the restaurant funds as embezzlement, and that in a creditor-debtor relationship Triple Star had repaid the full borrowed amount of 150 million won. They also judged that there was no basis for the private life allegations.
In November last year, the Gangnam Police Station launched an investigation after a request for investigation from a netizen regarding the ex-wife's claim that Triple Star diverted part of the restaurant's funds was received through the government petition portal.
Triple Star gained attention by finishing third on the Netflix cooking survival program "Culinary Class Wars," which aired in September last year, but he temporarily suspended external activities after the allegations were raised.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]