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| Police investigations leave a nightclub in Seoul, Sunday, after searching it as part of their probe into sex-for-favors allegations involving Seungri. / Yonhap |
By Kim Jae-heun
Seungri, a member of K-pop group Big Bang, was charged, Sunday, for providing prostitutes to foreign investors in his new business.
"To secure a warrant for a raid aimed at confirming our suspicions, we have booked Seungri as a suspect," a police officer said.
The action came hours after investigators from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency searched Arena, a Gangnam-based nightclub, where Seungri, 28, was believed to have lobbied investors and offered sexual favors as bribes.
A local media outlet first reported his alleged actions, revealing the singer's social media messages to colleagues that hinted at procuring women for sexual services in December 2015.
On Feb. 27, police questioned him over the allegations, but he denied them.
According to police, along with Seungri, three to four others suspects are also under investigation regarding the allegations.
The police raid at Arena began at 11 a.m. and lasted three hours. They have reportedly secured evidentiary material related to the alleged criminal activities.
Meanwhile, YG Entertainment said Friday that Seungri would enter the army later this month for his compulsory service. The singer had originally applied to join a police department as alternative service, but suddenly decided to abandon this.
He is also suspected of using illegal drugs, and police are awaiting the results of tests.
