BIGBANG's Daesung has been cleared of involvement in the illegal businesses found operating within his building in Gangnam.
According to a report by All Kpop, Daesung cooperated with the investigation when he was questioned by Seoul Gangnam Police Station on his knowledge about the illegal adult entertainment businesses that were operating in his property.
Last December, Daesung was invited for questioning as a witness to determine the extent of his knowledge about the illegal prostitution establishments found in his building. After the questioning and analysis of documents and testimonies obtained during search and seizure operation, police cleared the BIGBANG member of suspicion and said he will not be charged because there was no evidence to support this.
During the questioning, Daesung maintained his earlier claim that he was unaware that there were illegal activities such as prostitution that were happening in his building. Daesung was also cleared of suspicion of illegal drug use after results from the National Forensic Service yielded negative results.
However, unlike Daesung, police have recommended charges for the 56 people connected to the five illegal entertainment businesses operating in the Gangnam building. Police are looking at filing charges for the violation of the Food Sanitation Act and the Anti Prostitution Act against the offenders. The investigation results will also be forwarded to the prosecution with the recommendation of indictment without detention.
Police will also recommend administrative action from the Gangnam District Office and the local tax office about penalties for the illegal businesses.
With the latest development, it remains unclear if Daesung's initial fine of 1.2 billion won for the operation of illegal establishments in his building will be maintained.
It can be recalled that last November, Daesung was ordered to pay additional taxes worth 1.2 billion won because the acquisition and property taxes that Daesung paid after buying the building were only valued for ordinary restaurants and not adult entertainment businesses.
Reports initially broke out about illegal adult entertainment businesses operating within Daesung's property in July 2019 when he was still enlisted with the military.
He immediately released a statement through his agency, YG Entertainment and apologized for making fans worry while he was serving his time in the military. He also apologized for his inexperience in managing the property.
According to Daesung, he purchased the building shortly before his enlistment and at the time, there were already tenants that have moved in. He said this was the reason why he was unaware that there were illegal businesses that intended to operate within the property. He also promised to take legal action against tenants identified to be operating illegal businesses in the building.
