K-Pop star Seungri to start mandatory military service as police investigation circles
- The BigBang boy band singer has been linked to a suspicious nightclub and is facing allegations of drug abuse and providing escort girls to investors, which he denies
- South Korea has mandatory conscription for all able-bodied men as the country is still technically at war with the North
South Korean pop star Seungri will start mandatory military service later this month as police continue to investigate him for a string of allegations and links to a suspicious nightclub.
The BigBang boy band member’s agency, YG Entertainment, said the 28-year-old “will join the army on March 25” without waiting for the results of his application for alternate conscription service as a policeman.
All able-bodied South Korean men, aged 18 to 35, must serve nearly two years of military service because the country is still technically at war with the North, following the 1950-53 armistice.
Limit on K-pop stars ‘who look identical’ appearing on TV has been scrapped by South Korean gender ministry
Police have been investigating a now-closed nightclub in Seoul’s prosperous Gangnam district, where incidents of drug abuse, sexual assault, violence and bribery of police officers have been reported. Seungri, whose real name is Lee Seung-hyun, had a controlling share in the club, called Burning Sun, and served as its publicity executive.
Seungri flatly denied allegations, ranging from drug abuse to providing escort girls to potential investors, when he was questioned by police last month.
Last month, the pop star cancelled his solo concerts from March 9 to 10 in Osaka and Japan, and March 17 in Jakarta, amid the ongoing scandal.
His agency said Seungri will closely cooperate with the police even during his time in the army.
Police are expected to suspend further questioning of Seungri during his first four weeks of boot camp.
