Pretrial Detention Warrant Issued For Choi Jong Hoon Over Sexual Assault Charges

A warrant has now been issued for Choi Jong Hoon’s detention ahead of trial.

On May 9 at 10:10 a.m. KST, Choi Jong Hoon arrived at the Seoul Central District Court for questioning to determine the validity of the request for a warrant for Choi Jong Hoon’s pretrial detention. The evaluation ended after about two hours, and he was moved to a holding cell to await the results.

Seoul Central District Court judge Song Kyung Ho then issued the requested warrant for Choi Jong Hoon, who is suspected of violating the Act on the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (aggravated rape). Aggravated rape is a term that can be used to refer to rape that involves two or more perpetrators. This pretrial detention warrant allows for a suspect to be detained for longer than 48 hours.

The judge stated, “The court recognizes the suspicions of the crime, and there are concerns about destruction of evidence.”

Two others also underwent investigation on May 9 to determine the validity of pretrial detention warrants. A warrant was issued for businessman Mr. Kwon on suspicions such as quasi-rape, while the requested pretrial detention warrant for entertainment agency staff member Mr. Heo was dismissed.

Choi Jong Hoon and these two individuals are suspected of multiple-perpetrator sexual assault with others including Jung Joon Young, including a case in January 2016 in Hongcheon and another time in March of the same year in Daegu. Choi Jong Hoon has denied the suspicions during police questioning. Jung Joon Young will soon be attending his first hearing.

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