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Japanese woman who kissed BTS member referred to S.Korean prosecutors

Japanese woman who kissed BTS member referred to S.Korean prosecutors

NHK08-05-2025

South Korean media say the country's police have referred to prosecutors a Japanese woman who is suspected of forcibly kissing a member of K-pop group BTS at a fan event.
Yonhap News Agency says the woman's case was sent to prosecutors on charges of violating the act on the punishment of sexual crimes. It says the woman recently entered South Korea and voluntarily appeared before the police.
The woman in her 50s is accused of kissing BTS member Jin on the cheek at a "free hug" event attended by 1,000 fans last June in Seoul. The event was held a day after Jin completed his mandatory military service.
Photos of the woman appearing to kiss the star spread on social media. Her behavior drew fierce criticism, leading to the police receiving a criminal complaint about the incident.
Yonhap says South Korean police asked Japanese police for cooperation through Interpol and identified the woman.
The report says another woman is suspected of kissing Jin during the hug event. But it says her whereabouts are unknown and investigations have been suspended.

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