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https://scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/3017999/madam-jung-claims-yang-hyun-suk-ex-boss-koreas-yge
Style/ Celebrities

‘Madam Jung’ claims Yang Hyun-suk, ex-boss of Korea’s YGE, was involved in alleged prostitution mediation

Yang Hyun-suk, who resigned over an unrelated drug scandal in June, denies claims made by ‘big player’ in the adult entertainment industry on the Korean TV show, Straight

Yang Hyun-suk, the former CEO of YG Entertainment, who has been accused of soliciting prostitutes for foreign investors in MBC’s investigative programme, Straight. Photo: YG Entertainment

Yang Hyun-suk, the former CEO of YG Entertainment, allegedly solicited prostitutes to entertain foreign investors during a European tour in October 2014, according to claims made in a South Korean television programme on Monday.

“Madam Jung” – reportedly a “big player” in the adult entertainment industry – made the allegation on MBC’s investigative programme, Straight. 

She is reportedly a close friend of Yang and claims to have made arrangements to recruit the women.

“Yang’s acquaintance offered us 200 million won (US$170,000) in return for the “business trip to Europe,” she alleged. “At Yang's request, the women were mobilised to party with the Southeast Asian investors.”

Straight alleged that Yang had arranged an “investor relations” trip to Monaco in October 2014. Ten prostitutes reportedly went on the trip, the programme alleged.

However, Yang has insisted that he had no idea why Jung had called the women.

“I did what Yang ordered me to do, but YG has been denying everything: this is not fair,” Jung said on the programme.

She has been questioned by police six times and is expected to be summoned again.

I did what Yang ordered me to do, but YG has been denying everything. This is not fair ‘Madam Jung’, speaking on investigative programme, Straight

Jung also alleged that the money had been paid by the fugitive Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.

Low is a key figure in an international money laundering investigation related to the alleged misappropriation of US$4.5 billion from Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Low, who has repeatedly maintained his innocence, faces charges including money laundering in Malaysia.

“I only heard the money [we received] came from Jho Low,” Jung said.

In May, Low denied any involvement in the 2014 allegations surrounding Yang.

Yang allegedly provided women for two Southeast Asian investors at Club NB in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. Straight alleged that Low was one of the investors.

In June, Yang resigned as CEO and chief producer after a drug scandal involving B.I, the leader of K-pop boy band iKON, represented by YG.

Yang, who was questioned by police on June 27, has reportedly denied all the allegations.

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This article was originally written by Dong Sun-hwa for The Korea Times .