Japanese Fan Who Attempted Kissing BTS’s Jin May Not Be Punished If She Leaves Korea?

On June 19th, online communities began to speculate that the fan who sexually harassed BTS’s Jin at a recent event may be Japanese. A user on X (formerly Twitter) stated, “It is likely that the perpetrator who sexually harassed Jin is a Japanese blogger who has been continuously insulting all members of BTS for several months, with a particular focus on V. This individual even wrote about the incident with Jin on their blog.” The mentioned Japanese blogger’s blog contains posts such as “I lightly touched his neck with my lips. His skin was so soft” and “He made eye contact with me” , indicating their actions towards Jin.

As news of the troublesome fan’s Japanese nationality spread, there were concerns about whether she would face consequences due to her foreign status. Lawyer Kwak Joon-ho addressed this issue, stating to Tenasia that even foreigners can be punished for their actions. Under Korean law, a foreigner can be held accountable for their actions, regardless of their nationality, if the victim is Korean.

Nevertheless, the incident occurred on June 13th, 6 days ago, and it is probable that the Japanese fan has already departed from Korea. Lawyer Kwak clarified, “Ideally, we would bring them to Korea for legal proceedings. However, summoning them to Korea for charges of sexual harassment is no easy task. In fact, it becomes challenging to hold the individual accountable if they have already left Korea.”

On June 13th, during the 2024 FESTA, Jin organized a special free hug event for 1000 of his fans. The purpose of the event was to show appreciation to those who had supported him during his military service. Unfortunately, there were reports of some fans attempting sexual harassment, including unexpectedly kissing Jin. Outraged by these actions, other fans reported the incidents to the police and an investigation is currently underway.

On the 18th, Tenasia was informed by the Songpa Police Station that the case involving BTS’s Jin is currently undergoing a pre-prosecution investigation. The police emphasized the importance of considering the victim’s perspective and stated that they are in contact with Jin’s agency. As Jin is the victim in this case, his stance will greatly impact the investigation. The police further clarified that Jin’s opinion will be prioritized and taken into account before any decision is made.