In his first trial, former YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun Suk has denied the charges brought against him regarding B.I's drug investigation.
Keep on reading to know more.
Yang Hyun Suk Denies Charges of Coercion and Covering Up B.I's Drug Investigation
On the morning of November 5, KST, the Seoul Central District Court's criminal division held the first trial of YG Entertainment's former CEO and executive producer, Yang Hyun Suk, who was indicted without detention on the charges of violating the Act on Aggravated Punishment for Specific Crimes.
Yang Hyuk Suk, who was previously absent for the trial preparation date, had personally attended the first official trial.
Previously, Yang Hyun Suk was accused of trying to subvert the investigation by intimidating and coercing informant "A," who had accused former iKON member, B.I, of purchasing and consuming drugs back in 2016, while "A" themselve were being investigated by police.
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In 2019, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission opened an investigation after they had received a report stating that when B.I's drug allegations from 2016 arose, Yang Hyun Suk had contacted to meet with "A," who was the drug supplier, and demanded through threats that "A" retract their statement regarding B.I.
During the trial, the prosecution stated, "After receiving a report that informant 'A' had made a statement to the police about Kim Han Bin's (B.I's real name) drug use, he (Yang Hyun Suk) had called 'A' to YG's office and told them to retract their statement. He had made threats to prevent or overturn a statement related to a criminal case investigation."
Yang Hyun Suk and his lawyer had denied the charges. "It is true that the accused met 'A,' but he did not threaten or coerce them to make false statements," his lawyer said. When Yang Hyun Suk was asked if he had the same statement as his lawyer, he said yes.
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Court Brings in Witness 'Choi' in Yang Hyun Suk's Case
The court selected a total of seven witnesses, including "A" and B.I. Among them, Choi, a police officer who first investigated "A" on drug charges back in 2016, appeared as a witness at the trial.
"It is a fact that 'A' had reported about B.I, so they decided to cooperate with the investigation, and was carried out without having detention," Choi said.
In response, Yang Hyun Suk's lawyer pointed out that what Choi said on that day and what he said when he was being investigated by the police in September 2019 were different.
At the time of the police investigation, Choi was reported to have stated, "'A' had surrendered the marijuana and admitted to the charge, but the warrant was dismissed and I was quite puzzled."
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In response, Choi stated that there were parts that were made defensively at the time.
In addition, a transcript of the phone conversation between 'A' and Choi in 2019 was also released. It was confirmed that 'A' had called Choi and said, "I am going to ruin YG. I hate Yang Hyun Suk."
A message that 'A' had shared with B.I and WINNER's Lee Seung Hoon was also revealed. Regarding the related contents, they denied the evidence.
Meanwhile, the next trial for Yang Hyun Suk is scheduled for December 6, KST.
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Written by Robyn Joan
