Yang Hyun Suk gives a (non)statement to 'Burning Sun'-controversy and other updates on the case

[juhli.livejournal.com]

Yang Hyun Suk Shares Statement Regarding Seungri And His Relation To Burning Sun Club

On January 31, he released the following statement via YG Entertainment’s official blog:

Hello, this is Yang Hyun Suk.

My New Year’s greetings are very belated. Everyone, I sincerely hope you will receive a lot of luck in the new year, always be healthy, and have a happy year ahead.

Whenever there are unexpected negative rumors contrasting with my personal wish from my last post to only share good news, I feel most apologetic first of all to the fans who must have worried.

I think that sudden negative rumors are like an unexpected rain shower falling from clear skies.

YG manages control of all aspects regarding our artists’ activities through our exclusive contracts with them, and we have continuously revised our contracts and management systems in order to prevent recurrences of accidents and mistakes.

In addition, we always check by emphasizing, advising, and educating what our artists have to be careful about through lots of conversations with them, and we are putting in our full effort to prevent potential disgraceful incidents beforehand.

However, like the old saying “bad news travels fast,” I think it is very difficult to tell them to be careful in preparation for groundless negative rumors that spread through word of mouth.

Also regarding the negative rumors on Seungri’s club, I wanted to find out the truth and give a quick response since the beginning. However, our artists’ operations of their personal businesses are completely unrelated to YG, so it was an awkward situation for YG to speak out and give an official statement, and there was also a lot of difficulty in finding out the truth.

The difficulty was that I have never gone to this club and do not know any of the people related to the club, so I did not have a way to ask someone about the details of this incident.

The only person I could ask was Seungri, and I found out that on the day of the incident, Seungri was at the scene until 3 a.m. on November 24, and the incident occurred past 6 a.m.

The reason why Seungri recently resigned as an executive director of the club was in order to comply with laws regarding military service as his military enlistment is approaching in March or April.

According to Article 30 of the Framework Act on Military Status and Service, “A soldier shall not engage in any for-profit activity, other than military service, and shall not concurrently engage in other activity without permission from the Minister of National Defense.” It is specifically written, “A soldier is prohibited from becoming a director, financial manager, general partner that takes part in the business, manager, promoter, or any other executive of a business.”

I confirmed that due to this reason, Seungri is in the process of resigning from not only the club but all of the CEO and executive director positions for which his name is recorded.

Seungri himself is also feeling very apologetic to fans who must have worried due to this incident, and although he was going to share his position through a post of apology, I told him to hold off for the moment.

This is because I decided that it would be better for him to share his position after the whole story of the incident is revealed more clearly through the investigation.

Currently, the focus seems to be turning away from the assault incident towards a drug investigation. To share with fans in case they are worrying even a bit, Seungri recently received a strong investigation by the prosecution with a search and seizure warrant due to groundless reports, and it was revealed clearly that there were no issues with all his examinations including urine and hair testing.

I feel apologetic that I am not able to give positive New Year’s greetings, and I will soon greet you again with an announcement on BLACKPINK’s new music, the criteria for “YG Treasure Box” selection and debut plans, and happy news of new music from many YG artists including WINNER and iKON.

Thank you always.

2019.01.31

FROM YG

New updates taken from a koreaherald article

- Local broadcaster KBS on Wednesday reported the testimony of an alleged former employee of the Burning Sun club suggesting that illegal drug use occurred in its VIP rooms.
- The employee interviewed by KBS said three undercover cops visited the place last December after receiving reports that someone was forced to smoke marijuana in the club, adding that patrons would sometimes use drugs in the VIP room.
- According to KBS, a former employee of the club said that the singer on Jan. 13 -- weeks before the assault case surfaced in the media -- jokingly asked his workers, “Is this the place where the bouncers beat up people?”

The incident runs deeper than a pack of rogue bouncers, as it involves an accusation of corruption and collusion between the club and Gangnam Police Station.

The alleged victim Kim claimed police officers dispatched to the scene arrested only him based on claims by club employees, and that he was beaten up by police.

Kim filed an online petition to Cheong Wa Dae requesting an investigation on whether police officers at the station receive bribes from Burning Sun, with over 250,000 signing the petition as of Thursday afternoon. The presidential office is mandated to officially respond to any petition with 200,000 or more signatures.

Gangnam Police Station has said that contrary to Kim’s claims, it took both him and the club workers in question into custody, and that Kim made a ruckus and cursed at the officers.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced it has designated an investigative team to probe a series of allegations concerning Burning Sun, including accusations of sexual violence, drug use, Kim’s arrest and whether there is an actual connection between the club and the police station.


source: soompi, yg-life, koreaherald

Comments

[xoxkenzxox.livejournal.com]

So essentially, everything is one big mess. Just close the place down and be done with it. That seems easier.

The reports about the police corruption worries me the most.

[kyokomurasaki.livejournal.com]

I fully believe the police corruption reports tbh. Stuff like that happens everywhere

[rainstormraider.livejournal.com]

If Seungri was already going to enlist in March/April why was he divesting himself of his business interests in January? He could’ve done that in March. And why this club first?

Also for such a hands-on businessman why do his fans believe he knew nothing about it? Do his fans believe he was an incompetent CEO too?

Why is YHS releasing a statement and not Seungri? What do YHS and YGE have to do with Seungri’s businesses?

Lastly, did anyone accuse Seungri of being an addict? When did that happen in all this?

[donaldjdrumpf.livejournal.com]

Tbh divesting in a business doesn't happen overnight and shouldn't be left to the last minute so I think it's reasonable that Seungri divested in January for a Spring enlistment. And I guess we don't know all his other businesses and what he had already divested in (or simply just resigned from) and what he hasn't.

As for Seungri not releasing a statement despite claiming to be a hands-on CEO....yaaa idk man, that is a terrible look for Seungri. It's like he's sticking his head in the sand, terrible PR strategy. Makes me think he doesn't want to offer a full defense of himself... because he can't. And maybe he figures getting caught lying will make it 1000% worse. Probably wants to remain low key till enlistment and hope by 2021 people have forgotten it.

[daynr.livejournal.com]

to be fair, with his schedule it might make sense to do each business one by one, starting with the ones you either have the least to do with or have a good management replacement already ready.

However, if all the other business are handed over the week before enlistment, or if this is the only one for months, then ....

(Also, I assume we're talking management control and influence, not actual ownership. He can just put ownership in a trust or similar.)

[evilcoc0nut.livejournal.com]

I feel like there are coverups within coverups going on here lol. Nothing makes sense.

[daynr.livejournal.com]

YG manages control of all aspects regarding our artists’ activities through our exclusive contracts with them
However, our artists’ operations of their personal businesses are completely unrelated to YG,

This contradictory shit drives me crazy, you're a damn CEO, be precise.

Some of the explanation makes sense, for instance having to resign for enlistment reasons, but if the timing of his other business resignations are in the future ....

I hope there is a full and proper investigation, and not just apologies and bowing.

[donaldjdrumpf.livejournal.com]

Nnnn don't make me defend YG but I don't see the contradiction in that quote tbh, I think it's just how you read that quote. YG manages control of all aspects regarding "ARTISTS' ACTIVITIES" through our exclusive contracts..

That doesn't mean that "well since Seungri is an artist, they manage all of his activities." Instead think of "Artist Activities" as "An activity performed in their capacity as an Idol." Any entertainment schedule related to promotion, recording, performing etc is an "artist activity." Owning and operating a club is not an "artist activity."

Idols can have separate businesses or investments that their agencies have no say/stake in.Many buy apartment buildings and rent them out for a steady monthly income when they're not promoting. Seungri chose to open a club which he clearly did not do a good job at it if that club's environment is so unsafe that such that a horrific crime happens at it. YG is a POS for other reasons but the blame falls squarely on Seungri, who is still radio silent here.

[daynr.livejournal.com]

It's easy to parse and figure out what he means, but "artists' activities" is using a noun that encompasses the entire person. it may be a translation error, but in English it's imprecise.

And I'd rather slag the CEO than the nice translator who gave us his statement.

[babyjenkski.livejournal.com]

it is funny. The way I see it...

YG manages control of all aspects regarding our artists’ activities through our exclusive contracts with them
- We take good care of our artists

However, our artists’ operations of their personal businesses are completely unrelated to YG,
- If they do something personal and ends up in shit, its not our fault

[daynr.livejournal.com]

so true

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

this

[ggumd.livejournal.com]

YG is so transparent, people arent asking if seungri took drugs but about the claims of the ongoing abuse and drugs taken in the club. He keeps trying to purposely deflect and im glad people arent falling for it this time.

And Seungri's mother was the inspector why did she step down at the same time as seungri? so that army excuse is BS

I feel like the victims are never going to get the proper justice they deserve and the corrupt police will never be investigated based on how this is going.

[xoxoluv517.livejournal.com]

And not only that, YG's acting like the drugs that the Burning Sun are accused of is weed or something when it's FEMALE APHRODISIACS. There's new former employees (allegedly so with a grain of salt) that admit seeing drugged out girls, some not even drinking much alcohol. Also, Arena also should get investigated too but they flatout admitted to using the said drugs.

I also feel like the victims are not going to get justice because a) the whole tangled mess was by a Gangnam police office and b) the investigation now is being done by a higher up(?) gangnam police office. All I know is that Gangnam's police is known for corruption and covering shit up like how they tampered with the CCTV of Mr. Kim.

[ggumd.livejournal.com]

Exactly, no one mentioned weed in any of the reports but the aphrodisiacs which were mentioned by witnesses and texts obtained by the staff. Nor did YG bother to mention why cctv footage keeps being deleted, the multiple account witnesses about girls foaming at the mouth being dragged away etc.

And the gangnam police covering this is laughable, they are most likely covering for their asses. It's just an overall irritating situation with how this is being handled. And seungri is trash for this, the bb stans covering for him are trash as well as the ones pretending to be "neutral" till more evidence~ comes out as if seungri is such an upstanding individual that he even deserves the benefit of the doubt.

[psharp10.livejournal.com]

there's been a lot more information going around on twitter, and yes, i have been getting it from bigbang fans but also like. idk what other source is translating it? i haven't checked soompi yet so i'll do that after this

but to clear one thing up that i've seen a lot is that seungri was apparently never the ceo of burning sun, he was the advertising/promotions director (along with some other people) and thats why he held gigs there and tried to publicise it. the ceos are two other people (their names are public and are being brought up a lot now too, i just can't remember it exactly rn) and i think there's another owner as well? also there's claims of the alleged victim kim being someone who's been accused of sexual misconduct so idk. there's just a huge big mess right now and wading through all the information and trying to objectively and critically pull it apart and see what's true and what's not is mentally exhausting and i haven't had the mental capacity to do it properly now

if i am able to do so over the weekend, i might make a post about it. until then, i just hope this is properly investigated into and whenever seungri puts out a statement (that i guess is put on hold bc of yg, investigations, and whatever his lawyer is telling him), it's at the very least decent and properly explains whatever he can

also eta: in no way condoning or justifying any kind of assault though!! i haven't been able to watch the videos of the cctv yet bc idk if i can handle it but. yeah. not condoning or justifying assault, just had to put that across. i've just seen that apparently mr kim has like 2? sexual misconduct complaints registered? against him

[tungatunga.livejournal.com]

I read about it too, but still doesn't justify the assault, the incident happened in November, the complaints against him were registered in December, so even if he is creep, on CCTV there was no indication he was violent or try to resist to justify the force the club bodyguard and then police used against him.

Seungri went around variety circuit flashing "the owner/genius businessman" card, so for PR reason it's better for him to release statement, it's better to embarrass himself a bit, than forever being connected to that mess, especially with his mother engaged in this club too.

[psharp10.livejournal.com]

oh no, yeah i agree, it definitely doesn't justify the assault and i didn't mean to imply that in any sense. i just don't know how much of his claims of others sexually assaulting i can believe in

and i do want seungri to release a statement!! definitely. i just wanted to say that it's understandable that it's taking so long considering he'd probably want to keep it as safe to not mess up investigations. there had been reports about him planning to release a statement yesterday but then this yg thing came out so seungri's didn't. but a statement is needed, and personally i really want and need one for me to consider continuing being a fan of him since there's just too many grey areas and unsure/confusing parts about this

[tungatunga.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think in his best interest is to cut all the ties with this club, I can't believe he couldn't released statement vetted by the lawyer of course, to denounce his ownership, unless their is something in his connection, we don't know about. If this club wouldn't be connected with Seungri, it would never made it into main news reel.

I'm pretty sceptical about all this drug/sex trafficking ring Mr Kim alleged to, it's sound more like disgruntled(rightfully) customer, who heard some gossip. But I do believe that drugs and sexual harassment/ assault are present/take place in BS, they are always connected with night clubs all over the world.

[psharp10.livejournal.com]

there's actually now more info about how lee munho (the owner of burning sun) was previously employed at another popular gangnam club that has been linked to police bribery before and he set up burning sun using the gangnam club as a benchmark + also news about rape victims and a rape drug called GHB that is popularly used in all these clubs (but apparently it like. gets out of the body in a few hours so it's hard to find evidence for aside from victims' claims and injuries - which are there)

[tungatunga.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be surprised, as I find club scene seedy at best, and GHB is one hell of the drug, it is colourless, odourless and barely has taste, it is metabolised within hours, and can cause amnesia, so by the time victim start to suspected something wrong happened it's undetectable.

Now I wonder, why no one talked Seungri out of associating with such people, and he even bring his mom into it. Doesn't make him looking good at all, regardless of his knowledge in this incident.

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

asianjunkie has been covering the story as well

[psharp10.livejournal.com]

last time i checked neither soompi nor asianjunkie had updated on the info/news that was circulating twitter so :/

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

oh i overread the twitter part. i think soompi and aj are both waiting for official news outlets to avoid posting wrong information and rumors

[pero, like (from livejournal.com)]

Screaming at the promo for other artists at the end of the note especially since he still left out Lee Hi!!!

[lizanka23.livejournal.com]

i hope she leaves and goes to Psy's company

[lizanka23.livejournal.com]

we don't want to hear what you say, you pig. seungri should write a statement but he's probably scared it will incriminate him somehow

[jaequeeragenda.livejournal.com]

i mean i abhor seungri so i dont care about his reputation


i wanna know whats going to be done about the police corruption (which isnt anything new i live in america) and the victim finding justice for fucks sake