Choi Jong-hoon from FT Island was arrested for being involved in the “Jung Joon-young group chat” case and released last year after completing his two and a half years of service.
On Jan 12th, The Fact released a video titled “’Jung Joon-young’s group chat’ Choi Jong-hoon 2 months after being released from prison. Is he turning over a new leaf?” on its YouTube channel.
Choi Jong-hoon was sentenced to two and a half years in prison in May 2019 for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (special level rape), and was released from prison on December 8th last year after finishing his sentence.
Along with the video, The Fact said, “In addition to the serious crime he has committed, criticism and ridicule of him being an ‘idol of criminal record’ or an ‘idol released from prison’ continue,” adding that Choi Jong-hoon has recently been attending church with his mother and living a devout faith.
According to The Fact, Choi Jong-hoon attended a church in Gangdong-gu, Seoul on Jan 9th. Later, when Choi Jong-hoon was asked, “I know it’s been about two months since you were released from prison, how are you?” he asked back, “Why are you doing this?” obviously stunned by the question. He then replied, “I’m sorry,” after being asked about his plan to return to the entertainment industry.
Choi Jong-hoon also asked how the reporter came to that church, saying, “How did you know? Who told you about my information? Are people in this church going around leaking my information like this?” he said.
Then he asked, “I have bad trauma and shock too. What should I say if you thrust the recorder like this?” Besides, he showed a sharp reaction to the camera filming him, “What are you doing?”
Choi Jong-hoon‘s mother also said, “Why are you doing this to a child who is trying to live in faith?”, “Why are you making a fuss over nothing? You will be scolded by God”, “The conclusion will be alright later. Just wait and see”…
Choi Jung-hoon, Jung Joon-young, former Burning Sun MD Kim, office worker Kwon and Huh – a former employee of an entertainment agency – were accused of gang rape and illegally filming women in January and March 2016.
The first trial court sentenced Jung Joon-young 6 years in prison and Choi Jong-hoon 5 years in prison. However, through the appeal, the sentences of Jung Joon-young and Choi Jong-hoon were reduced to 5 years and 2 years and 6 months, respectively.
The second trial explained that the sentences were decided in consideration of the fact that Choi Jong-hoon reached an agreement with the victim, and that Jung Joon-young was also seriously reflecting.
