Seungri (real name Lee Seung-hyun), a former member of Big Bang, has been accused of assaulting a man in his 30s at a drinking gathering and is under police investigation. Seungri's side said there was an argument while refusing to share a table and acknowledged that he held a liquor bottle, but argued he did not brandish it or threaten the other person.
According to the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul on the 11th, police received a complaint on Oct. 26 requesting that Seungri be punished on charges of aggravated assault and are investigating the exact circumstances of the incident.
The complainant reportedly claims that Seungri assaulted him while Seungri was drinking at a restaurant in Gangnam District, Seoul.
According to a report by Ilgan Sports, Seungri's side explained that the friction began when a drunk person, identified as A, demanded to join while Seungri was dining with two acquaintances. Although Seungri politely refused, A did not leave, saying he wanted to make a business proposal, which led to an argument.
Seungri's side claimed that they eventually shared a table with A, drank together, and exchanged contact information. They said that when parting, A saw Seungri off, and a few hours later sent a message to the effect of "I will bring the business plan next week."
Seungri argued, "It is true that I held a liquor bottle while expressing that I would not sit together, but I did not brandish it or threaten anyone."
Seungri's side said they are baffled that A later filed a complaint claiming to be a victim. They said they secured closed-circuit (CC) TV footage and witness statements of the scene and would faithfully cooperate with the police investigation.
They also said they are considering legal action for false accusation against the acquaintances who were sued together.
Based on the complaint and Seungri's claims, police plan to analyze the restaurant's internal CCTV and question witnesses to verify the exact facts.
Seungri left the entertainment world in 2019 after becoming embroiled in the so-called "Burning Sun scandal." He was later found guilty on all nine charges, including arranging prostitution, prostitution, habitual gambling, violations of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, embezzlement, and instigation of aggravated assault, received a sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison, served his term, and was released.
After his release, updates about him mostly came from overseas. Footage of him in an event in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, prompting a response by mentioning G-Dragon was made public, sparking controversy.
On Oct., a claim was raised in Indonesia that Seungri would appear at an event called "Burning Sun," but Seungri's side said his name was used without permission and announced plans for legal action.