SEOUL, South Korea (AP) 鈥� South Korean police said Friday they are summoning a Japanese woman for questioning over allegedly kissing , a member of the K-pop supergroup without consent during a free hug event last year.
A police officer who answered the phone at Seoul鈥檚 Songpa police station said it requested the woman to appear for questioning over an allegation of sexual harassment. The police station refused to disclose her identity citing privacy.
The station said it had launched an investigation after receiving an online complaint and refused to provide further details because an investigation was under way.
Media reports said that South Korean police were able to confirm the identity of the woman with the help of Japanese police. The reports said the woman, who is in her 50s, was refusing to appear for questioning.
A day after finishing his mandatory 18-month military service in June 2024, , whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, celebrated his discharge and the band鈥檚 11-year anniversary by offering free hugs to his fans at an event in Seoul. During the event, reportedly attended by 1,000 people, a woman abruptly kissed Jin, on his cheek. Video footage that went viral showed Jin apparently looking uncomfortable.
The woman wrote in an online blog post that 鈥淢y lips touched his neck. His skin was so soft,鈥� according to Yonhap news agency.
BTS was created in 2013 and has a legion of global supporters who call themselves the 鈥淎rmy.鈥� Jin, 32, is the oldest member of the band.
Hyung-jin Kim, The Associated Press
