Singer Choi Jonghoon Admits to Illegal Filming Charges: "Reflecting on My Foolish Actions"

Singer Choi Jong-hoon / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Singer Choi Jong-hoon (31), who was sentenced to prison in the first trial on charges of gang rape, has been additionally prosecuted and faced a prison sentence for illegal filming and other charges.

On the 18th, the prosecution requested a prison sentence of 1 year and 6 months at Choi's first trial held under the presiding of Judge Park Jin-hwan of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 1.

The prosecution also requested the court to disclose Choi's identity, order him to complete a sexual violence treatment program, and impose a 5-year employment restriction at institutions related to children and adolescents.

Choi said on the day, "Four years have passed since this incident, but I live with an indelible sense of guilt," and "I deeply regret acting foolishly without realizing I was committing a crime at the time."

He continued, "I feel relieved to be punished now," and "When I return to society, I will live helping society as an ordinary person, not as a celebrity. Please understand my sincere remorse and show leniency just this once," tearfully pleading.

Choi was additionally indicted on charges of filming photos and videos of the victim woman in 2016 and repeatedly posting them in a group KakaoTalk chatroom.

He is also accused of attempting to bribe a police officer present at the scene with 2 million won to cover up after being caught for drunk driving in February of the same year.

Meanwhile, Choi was previously indicted along with singer Jung Joon-young (31), who was a member of the same chatroom, on charges of gang raping intoxicated women in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, and Daegu, and was sentenced to 5 years in prison in the first trial.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.