Prosecutors indict Japanese fan for kissing BTS' Jin
BTS member Jin / Courtesy of BigHit Music
A Japanese woman has been charged with sexual assault for "unexpectedly kissing" BTS member Jin during a fan event, South Korean prosecutors said Monday.
The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office said it indicted the woman last Wednesday on charges of sexual harassment without physical detention.
The woman, who is in her 50s, is accused of kissing Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, on the cheek during a "free hug" event attended by about 1,000 fans on June 13 last year, a day after the singer was discharged from his military duty.
Video of Jin's startled reaction sparked online controversy, prompting an internet user to file a complaint.
Police initially suspended the investigation in March, saying it could take significant time for the woman, who lives overseas, to appear for questioning.
However, she recently entered South Korea and voluntarily presented herself to police, allowing the case to proceed to prosecutors.