A Japanese woman in her 50s has been formally charged with sexual harassment for allegedly forcing an unwanted kiss on BTS member Jin during a fan event last year, South Korean media reported.
The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office confirmed that the charge was filed after investigators concluded the woman acted without Jin’s consent during the session at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul’s Songpa District in June 2024, shortly after the singer completed his mandatory military service.
During the fan-meet, the woman reportedly approached Jin and planted a kiss on his cheek, an incident captured in widely shared posts on X, sparking public outrage.
Fans filed complaints via South Korea’s National Petition System, condemning the act as inappropriate and indecent in a crowded public setting.
Songpa Police initially investigated the incident but suspended the case in March due to delays and the suspect’s absence. She later appeared voluntarily, leading authorities to find the allegations credible and refer the matter to prosecutors.
Jin, the oldest member of BTS, has continued with public appearances and promotional work since completing his military service. Neither he nor his agency, Big Hit Music, has publicly commented on the case.
