Seungri denies assault and threats despite admitting to picking up bottle

Former BIGBANG member Seungri denied allegations of assault and threats following an August 8 incident at a Seoul restaurant, though his lawyer admitted he picked up a soju bottle during an emotional conflict with a man identified as Mr. A.

Seungri (born Lee Seung-hyun), a former member of the group BIGBANG, has admitted to picking up a soju bottle in relation to a complaint filed against him for special assault, but he has strongly denied allegations that he assaulted or threatened the complainant. While he expressed regret for failing to control his emotions at the time, he maintains that the assault and threats claimed by the complainant are untrue. Interest in the reality of the case is resurfacing as the two sides offer conflicting explanations regarding footage captured by restaurant CCTV.

Yoon Jae-bin, a lawyer at Surim Law Firm representing Seungri, issued a statement on the 23rd explaining the circumstances of the incident. "As a party who has caused controversy in the past, I feel apologetic for causing concern again with such an incident," Yoon stated. However, he also moved to refute the allegations, noting, "Separate from past mistakes, this incident is being reported differently from the actual circumstances, so we are inevitably explaining the details."

According to Seungri's side, the incident occurred around 6:00 a.m. on August 8 at a restaurant in Seoul. While Seungri was dining with two acquaintances, a man, identified as Mr. A, who they were meeting for the first time, requested to join their table. Seungri's side claims that although the group refused several times, Mr. A would not leave, instead bringing up business matters and eventually sitting in an empty seat without permission.

Seungri's side explained that his group repeatedly requested Mr. A to vacate the seat. In an attempt to end the confrontation, Seungri reportedly poured him a drink and even provided his contact information, but the verbal altercation escalated when Mr. A did not comply with the request to leave. The side explained that an emotional conflict occurred during this process, and the act of picking up the soju bottle was a result of this situation.

While Seungri's side admitted to the fact that he picked up the soju bottle placed on the table, they denied the allegations that he swung the bottle at the individual or used it to strike him. "He deeply regrets that he was unable to control his emotions and acted inappropriately at the time," Yoon stated, adding, "It was merely an emotional friction caused by the complainant's provocation, and there is no truth to the complainant's claim that Seungri swung the soju bottle at the individual or used it to strike them." The implication is that reflecting on inappropriate behavior is separate from admitting to the special assault charge.

Regarding the situation immediately following the incident, Seungri's side offered an explanation that differs from the complainant's. They claim that both parties left the restaurant together, exchanged greetings, and parted ways in a friendly atmosphere. They asserted that on the morning of the incident, Mr. A sent a message suggesting they meet again the following week, and even contacted him in the afternoon stating he would bring a business plan, requesting a meeting again. Based on these circumstances, Seungri's side questioned the claims that assault or threats occurred during the incident.

Conversely, Seungri's side stated that a few days later, Mr. A contacted them claiming to have secured evidence and medical certificates, mentioning special intimidation and special confinement, after which the complaint was filed. They also denied allegations that they threatened to use organized crime members to cause harm. Regarding a settlement, they explained that although they received a request for a settlement from Mr. A's side after the complaint was filed, they decided to submit relevant materials to investigative authorities, judging that they could not conclude the case by admitting to actions they did not actually commit.

Previously, the Seoul Gangnam Police Station received a complaint from Mr. A on August 26 requesting punishment for Seungri's special assault charges. JTBC reported on September 23 that Mr. A claimed he was assaulted, threatened, and confined by Seungri's group in the early hours of August 8 at a restaurant in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Mr. A claimed that three members of Seungri's group blocked his movement, threatened him with a soju bottle, and assaulted his hands. Allegations were also raised that Seungri threatened to cause harm by mentioning connections to organized crime.

The restaurant's internal CCTV footage released at the time shows Seungri picking up a soju bottle from the table and reaching his arm toward Mr. A. It is reported that the footage also captured people around him restraining him and a motion where Seungri appears to pick up the soju bottle again as if to swing it. As Seungri's side refutes the footage by claiming he did not actually swing the bottle or strike the individual, the process of verifying the specific circumstances of the behavior and whether assault or intimidation occurred has become critical.

Seungri's side expressed that they respect the judgment of the investigative authorities and the court and will participate sincerely in the investigation. They also added a request to refrain from speculative criticism or the disclosure of personal information regarding those involved in the case. Currently, both sides are presenting opposing claims regarding the situation at the time and the occurrence of assault and intimidation, and the specific facts must be confirmed through the investigation process.

Seungri left BIGBANG and announced his retirement from the entertainment industry following the so-called "Burning Sun scandal" in 2019. He was subsequently indicted on nine charges, including procuring prostitution and habitual gambling, and received a finalized sentence of one year and six months in prison. He was released in February 2023 after completing his sentence. As he, who had faced social criticism for various incidents in the past, becomes involved in a criminal complaint again, attention is focused on the upcoming investigation results as he admits to picking up the soju bottle while denying the assault charges.

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