On the October 30 broadcast of YTN News FM’s “Smart Radio Life,” lawyer Lee Go-eun discussed the recent allegations against Choi Min-hwan.
The lawyer analyzed the audio recordings released by Yulhee, saying they only show Choi Min-hwan requesting hotel reservations, not directly asking for escort services. However, his choice to prioritize these bookings over time spent with family raises ethical concerns.
He clarified that hiring entertainers on the premises is legal and that their presence does not automatically indicate illegal activity. For something to be classified as prostitution, there must be commercial sex, and many of these cases occur in hospitality settings, which could be considered circumstantial evidence.
The lawyer expressed strong suspicions about prostitution due to the significant amounts discussed via Telegram, pointing out that terms like “TC” refer to compensation for escort services. Amounts exceeding 2 million won (about $1,480) have raised concerns about the nature of these services, but proving that they led to actual prostitution is a challenge based solely on records.
For Choi Min-hwan to face charges, there must be direct evidence. While visiting a venue could lead to charges of attempted prostitution, there is no legal definition of “attempted prostitution”, so simple statements are not sufficient.
Listening to the recordings suggests that Choi Min-hwan had some familiarity with nightlife culture, indicating prior experience. He predicted that even if it was his first offense, he might not receive a stayed charge and could face more severe fines or penalties.
Choi Min-hwan and Yulhee married in 2018 and have 3 children together, but announced their divorce in December the previous year, with Choi Min-hwan gaining custody.
Recently, Yulhee revealed the reasons for their divorce on her YouTube channel, revealing that she was shocked to learn of Choi Min-hwan’s conversations with entertainment venue staff requesting escorts and hotel reservations. He claimed that this revelation connected all the troubling incidents he had experienced.
Following these allegations, Choi Min-hwan resigned from the KBS 2TV variety show “The Return of Superman” and stopped his activities. As a result, FTIsland continued as a duo, with Choi Min-hwan’s drum position temporarily filled by a session musician.
Source: Daum
