YG Entertainment Finally Responds To “Burning Sun Assault” Scandal

YG Entertainment has finally released an official statement regarding the recent “Burning Sun Assault” case that involved their artist, Seungri.

YG Entertainment CEO, Yang Hyun Suk, began by stating the reason for the delay:

The personal business of our artist is unrelated to YG and therefore, we were hesitant about releasing a statement and also had much difficulty confirming the facts.

ㅡ Yang Hyun Suk

He also clarified some facts:

Seungri was at the location (club) until 3 am on November 24 of last year, the day of the inciden and the incident occurred after 6 am. Seungri will be enlisting in the army in March or April and has resigned from his position as director and representative director of the club. He also is regretful towards fans who have been concerned because of the issue.

ㅡ Yang Hyun Suk

Yang Hyun Suk also mentioned the numerous accusations regarding drug investigations and stated that Seungri has undergone a strict investigation by prosecutors and the results proved everything to be normal.

Currently, issues regarding drug investigations are being brought irrelevant to the assault case but Seungri has recently received a strict investigation by prosecutors with confiscation warrants due to numerous groundless reports. Results from his urine and hair tests clearly proved that everything was normal.

ㅡ Yang Hyun Suk

Read Yang Hyun Suk’s full statement below:

Hello, this is Yang Hyun Suk.

My new year’s greeting has been delayed. I wish everyone a happy new year and sincerely hope that everyone is blessed with good health and happiness.

While I wrote in my previous post that I only wanted to deliver good news, I am filled with regret towards fans who are worried when unexpected trouble occurs.

I think sudden unexpected troubles are like a sudden shower that falls from a clear sky without any notice.

YG manages all aspects of our artists’ activities through our exclusive contracts with them and we have consistently adjusted our contracts and management system to prevent a repetition of accidents and mistakes. In addition, we have emphasized and advised on things that must be taken into caution through many discussions with our artists. We are also doing our best to prevent unpleasant happenings.

However, preparing and watching out for groundless gossip that spreads through the mouths of people is quite difficult task, much like the saying, “Bad news travels fast.”

I wanted to confirm and respond quickly to the issue regarding Seungri’s club but the personal business of our artist is unrelated to YG and therefore, we were hesitant about releasing a statement and also had much difficulty confirming the facts.

It was difficult because I too have not been to the club before and I did not know any persons related to the club and there was no way to ask or confirm in detail about the incident.

The only person I was able to ask was Seungri. Seungri confirmed that he was at the location ((club) until 3 am on November 24 of last year, the day of the incident and the incident occurred after 6 am.

The reason Seungri resigned from his position as director of the club was in order to comply with the regulations of military enlistment as he was planning to enlist in the military in March or April.

According to Article 30 of the Basic Act on the Status and Service of Soldiers, “soldiers may not engage in businesses for profit other than military affairs and without receiving approval from the Minister of National Defence, soliders cannot serve other duties.” More specifically, “Soldiers are forbidden from becoming directors, auditors, general partners, managers, promoters or other executives.”

As a result, Seungri not only resigned from the club, but was in the process of resigning from all directorships that were registered under his name.

Seungri is regretful towards fans who have been concerned because of the issue and was planning on revealing a letter of apology, but I asked him to hold off for the time being.

This is because I believed it would be best to reveal his statement after facts of this case become clearer.

Currently, issues regarding drug investigations are being brought irrelevant to the assault case but Seungri has recently received a strict investigation by prosecutors with confiscation warrants due to numerous groundless reports. Results from his urine and hair tests clearly proved that everything was normal.

I apologize for not being able to send my new year’s greetings with good news and will be back with news of BLACKPINK’s upcoming new track, the criteria and debut plans for YG Treasure Box and news of upcoming songs for YG artists including WINNER and iKON.

Thank you.