2 K-Pop Stars Receive Prison Sentences for Rape Charges

Jung Joon-young and Choi Jong-hoon have been sentenced to serve time in prison after being found guilty on rape charges.

The two K-pop singers were given six and five-year sentences. According to CNN‘s report, both men will also be required to complete 80 hours of participation in a “sexual violence treatment program.” Both stars were convicted of conspiring in the sexual assault of a woman incapable of resisting, per Seoul Central District Court documents, with Jung also being found guilty of recording women “against their will” and then sharing the footage online.

“I deeply regret my foolishness and I feel great remorse,” Jung said during testimony, per BBC. “From now on, I shall only . . .  live in remorse.” The allegations first went public back in March, with Jung announcing his retirement that same month.

The Seoul court said when handing out the convictions this week that both men “should assume social responsibility” in proportion to their status as public figures.

“Jung argued that his sexual act was done with mutual agreement, while Choi flatly denied having sex with the victims,” the court said, per Yonhap News Agency. “But Jung confessed he had sex (with the women) together with Choi, and his confession was also proved by their KakaoTalk chats. In this sense, it can be recognized that they jointly raped drunk women.”

In addition to the prison time and 80 hours of treatment, both men have been banned from being employed at children and youth facilities for five years.