Reporter Indicted for Defamation Over K-Pop Star's Sex Allegations

A reporter who published allegations concerning Joo Hak-nyeon, a member of the K-pop group The Boyz, has been indicted without detention. The allegations involved a purported sexual encounter with a former Japanese adult video (AV) actress.

The reporter, identified as Choi, faces charges of defamation under South Korea's Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection. According to the indictment, Choi published an online article on June 12 alleging that Joo Hak-nyeon met former AV actress Asuka Kira at a bar in Tokyo and engaged in a sexual transaction.

Following the controversy, Joo Hak-nyeon's agency, Cre.ker Entertainment, announced his withdrawal from The Boyz and the termination of his exclusive contract. Joo himself has vehemently denied the allegations. He previously stated on his Instagram account that despite having clearly declared he had not engaged in any illegal activities, he would pursue all civil and criminal legal actions against certain reporters and media outlets that continue to publish malicious articles.

Joo's side has maintained that the report was based on false information and has indicated a strong stance against the publications. The legal proceedings initiated by the indictment will now determine the outcome of these serious accusations.

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I have already clearly stated that I have not engaged in any illegal activities, and yet some reporters and media outlets continue to write malicious articles. I will take all civil and criminal legal actions against them.