Singers Eddy Kim and Roy Kim charged over chat room
SEOUL: Singer Eddy Kim has been booked for spreading obscene material through a KakaoTalk chat room with fellow celebrities.
According to police, they have charged Kim for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, by uploading an explicit photograph in a group conversation with fellow celebrities, including singer Jung Joon-young.
Kim was called in for questioning as a suspect on March 31 and was questioned for two hours.
Although his agency Mystic Story admitted that Kim did upload obscene content through the messaging app, they emphasised that it was a photograph that he found on the internet - not something he took himself.
Jung is accused of secretly filming himself having sex with women and sharing the footage with friends on mobile chats.
“It is true that Eddy Kim was a member of the group chat (with Jung), but we have confirmed that he has never either shot or distributed any illegal videos himself,” the agency stated.
“He realises the gravity of the situation, and feels a deep sense of remorse.
We sincerely apologise for causing trouble.”
In the same development, K-pop singer Roy Kim (below) was booked by police Thursday, charged with sharing an obscene photo in a group chat.
According to Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Thursday, police told Kim to appear for a police investigation after finding the photo in a group chat room with fellow entertainer Jung Joon-young and others.
Police, however, have not confirmed if Kim had taken the photo.
The 26-year-old singer shot to fame after winning the fourth season of TV music competition “Superstar K” in 2012.
Kim and Jung are reported to have become close friends following their appearance on the program together.
Police previously arrested two members of the group chat, singer-songwriter Jung and a former Burning Sun employee surnamed Kim, on allegations they distributed secretly filmed sex videos.
Jung and employee Kim’s cases were sent to the prosecutor’s office Friday.
Police also have been investigating former Big Bang member Seungri and former FT Island member Choi Jong-hoon over distribution of illicit content.
According to police, Seungri, Jung and Choi shared illicit videos and pictures in 23 group chat rooms. Police added that singers Jeong Jin-woon, Kangin, Lee Jong-hyun and Yong Joon-hyung as well as model Lee Cheol-woo were also among those in the chat rooms.
Police said they have questioned Lee Jong-hyun and Yong, adding there are as of yet no plans to summon Jung, Kangin and Lee Cheol-woo.