Prosecution seeks arrest warrant for Seungri over prostitution arrangement, gambling allegations

The prosecution has requested an arrest warrant for former BIGBANG star Seungri. Yonhap

By Dong Sun-hwa

Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant Wednesday for Seungri, 30, formerly of K-pop band BIGBANG, on seven charges including prostitution arrangement and illicit gambling.

Their bid comes eight months after a court refused to issue a warrant following a police request last May. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency demanded the warrant on five counts, including prostitution arrangement and embezzlement. But the court refused, saying, “There is room for dispute” and that Seungri, whose real name is Lee Seung-hyun, was unlikely to destroy evidence.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office on Friday added two new counts to the warrant request ― habitual gambling in Las Vegas and illegal foreign exchange swaps for gambling money.

There will be a hearing on Monday at the Seoul Central District Court to decide whether a warrant will be issued.

In May, the singer was accused of arranging sex services for prospective foreign investors 29 times between 2015 and 2016 and of embezzling 20 million won ($17,200) from Yuri Holdings, a company the singer established with his business partner Yoo In-suk.

Seungri had a wide range of businesses including a noodle franchise and a club.

He was also suspected of sharing photos of naked women through a mobile chat room. In addition, he was reportedly involved in the management of the Burning Sun ― a nightclub in Gangnam, southern Seoul ― which was at the center of a major sex and drug scandal.

Seungri debuted in 2006 as a member of BIGBANG. The band rose to stardom thanks to a string of hits including “LIES” (2007) and “Day by Day” (2008). But Seungri left in March last year. The four remaining members ― G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang and Daesung ― are set to play at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California in April.