SHAH ALAM - The recent appearance of Lee Seung-Hyun, better known as Seungri, at a high-profile Malaysian private birthday party on May 22 has reignited discussions about entry regulations for individuals with criminal backgrounds.
A Deep Dive into the Burning Sun Scandal
Seungri, a former member of the popular Korean group Big Bang, was convicted on nine charges related to the infamous Burning Sun nightclub scandal in South Korea.
These charges included sex trafficking, embezzlement, and other illegal activities.
The BBC released a 59-minute documentary on YouTube delving into the details of this major event, considered one of the biggest drug and sex scandals in Korean entertainment history.
Beyond Seungri: A Web of Corruption
The scandal involved not only Seungri but also other prominent figures in the Korean entertainment industry, including:
- Jung Joon-young: Singer and TV personality who shared illegal sex videos and was sentenced to prison.
- Choi Jong-hoon: Former FT Island member who faced charges related to sexual assault and was involved in the illegal chatrooms.
- Yoo In-Seok: Businessman and actress Park Han-byul's husband, who was also implicated.
Many others remain unidentified, highlighting the pervasiveness of the illegal activities.
Whistleblowers and the Fight for Justice
Several individuals came forward to expose the truth, including:
- Goo Hara: A celebrity who assisted journalist Kang Kyung Yoon in acquiring sensitive information about the illegal activities at the club and helped shed light on police corruption. She tragically died by suicide, believed to be partly caused by cyberbullying and revenge porn.
- Kim Sang Kyo: An art director and self-proclaimed Burning Sun whistleblower who revealed illegal details about the club and faced charges of defamation despite his efforts to expose the truth. He also witnessed the corrupt actions of the police system firsthand and played a crucial role in initiating the investigation.
Seungri's Military Service, Legal Proceedings, and Resignation
Seungri served in the military from 2019 to 2020 and faced 26 hearings in the Military Court before being prosecuted in 2021.
He served 18 months in prison for his crimes and has since resigned from the entertainment industry.
Seungri's Controversial Malaysia Visit
Despite his conviction, Seungri's recent presence in Malaysia for a private performance sparked outrage and raised questions about how he was able to enter the country.
Crime analysts have stressed the need for Malaysia to establish a more transparent system for entry restrictions on ex-convicts.
They opined that other countries have varying guidelines based on the time elapsed since an offence and its severity.
They also pointed out that individuals seeking long-term stays in Malaysia must already obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct before visa approval.