According to the investigation report obtained by Sports Kyunghyang, Choi Minhwan was cleared of charges related to violations of the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Prostitution Arrangement, etc. due to insufficient evidence.
Choi Minhwan was accused of contacting a person associated with an entertainment establishment, identified as A, on July 9, 2022 at around 5 AM in Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. He allegedly inquired about locations for prostitution and paid an unidentified woman for sexual services.
The police investigation revealed that Choi Minhwan and A used terms such as “table fee” and “ladies” during their phone conversation. Based on the nature of the conversation and the operational practices of certain establishments, the police concluded that Choi Minhwan likely inquired about entertainment establishments from A.
During his testimony, Choi Minhwan stated, “I have inquired with A and have frequented entertainment establishments, but I have never engaged in prostitution, nor do I even recall visiting the mentioned establishments.”
A also testified, “The conversation was about going to entertainment venues, not prostitution establishments.”
The police determined that the recorded conversation alone was insufficient to substantiate the allegations of prostitution against Choi Minhwan. Furthermore, there was no additional evidence to refute the statements made by Choi Minhwan and A. The police assessed the recorded dialogue as pertaining to entertainment establishments rather than prostitution venues.
Choi Minhwan’s ex-wife, former LABOUM member Yulhee, who initially exposed the allegations of prostitution, refused to cooperate with the police investigation and did not provide the original recordings.
The police also decided against forwarding the case regarding Choi Minhwan’s alleged sexual harassment of Yulhee due to insufficient evidence.
Yulhee declined to appear for questioning, citing concerns about the emotional impact on their children and stating that she did not wish for criminal punishment or further investigation.
In her initial accusations on October 24, Yulhee released audio recordings on her YouTube channel, claiming Choi Minhwan’s frequent visits to entertainment establishments were a major factor in their divorce.
The recordings included Choi Minhwan asking A about establishments such as “shirt rooms” and “karaoke bars”, inquiring about fees and the availability of women, and requesting A to book a specific motel.
Yulhee further alleged, “Choi Minhwan would grope me or stuff money into my chest in front of our family. At the time, I didn’t understand such behavior, but later realized it was a habitual form of drunken misconduct.”
The Seoul Gangnam Police Station launched an investigation into Choi Minhwan and A after a citizen filed a complaint through the National Sinmungo (a public petition platform). On November 29, the police concluded their investigation without filing charges against either party.
Following the controversy, Choi Minhwan stepped down from ongoing variety show appearances and temporarily halted his activities with F.T. Island.
After the police’s decision not to press charges, Choi Minhwan issued an apology on November 30, stating, “The situation has spiraled with one-sided claims, falsehoods and distorted speculations being treated as facts. I sincerely apologize to the fans and my bandmates.”
On December 18, he addressed fans via the Weverse platform, asserting, “I have never engaged in prostitution. The hotels and motels mentioned in the recordings were places I visited alone at the time to be by myself. I regret that there is no definitive evidence to prove my innocence, and for that, I’m truly sorry.“
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