“I did pick up a soju bottle, but...” Seungri speaks out on aggravated assault allegations

[Financial News] Seungri, 35, a former member of BigBang, has been sued on suspicion of aggravated assault for allegedly threatening a man he had never met at a restaurant while holding a soju bottle. He categorically denied the allegations, saying, “It’s true that I picked up a soju bottle, but I never swung it or struck anyone with it.”
Attorney Yoon Jae-bin of Surim Law Firm, Seungri’s legal representative, issued an official statement on the 23rd. “As someone who caused controversy in the past, I am sorry for causing concern,” the statement said, adding, “Some details have been reported differently from what actually happened, so I would like to clarify the facts.”
According to Seungri’s side, the incident took place at around 6 a.m. on August 8 at a restaurant in Seoul’s Gangnam District. Seungri was dining with two acquaintances when a man identified only as A, whom he had never met, recognized him, approached, and asked to join them. Seungri’s side repeatedly declined, but A refused to leave, citing a “business proposal,” and sat in an empty seat, leading to an argument.
When voices rose during a request for A to leave, Seungri picked up a soju bottle from the table. Attorney Yoon said, “I deeply regret failing to control my emotions and acting inappropriately at the time,” but countered, “It was only an emotional clash sparked by the other party’s provocation. He did not swing the bottle at the other person or hit him with it in any way.” He added that the allegation that Seungri threatened to harm the man while referring to gangsters was also entirely baseless.
Seungri’s side claimed that tensions eased shortly after the disturbance and that the parties exchanged greetings and parted outside the restaurant. A continued to contact them that day, saying things like, “I’ll bring a business plan next week,” but then abruptly changed his stance several days later, alleging aggravated intimidation and confinement, among other things. Seungri’s side also explained that A’s side proposed a settlement after filing the complaint, but they declined, deciding that they “could not settle by admitting to acts he did not commit.”
A previously filed a complaint with the Seoul Gangnam Police Station on August 26, asking that Seungri and his companions be punished on charges including aggravated assault. A claims that three people with Seungri prevented him from moving and that he injured his hand while being threatened with a soju bottle; he also alleges that they threatened him in connection with gangsters. Restaurant CCTV footage reportedly shows Seungri holding a soju bottle and reaching out, as well as his companions intervening to restrain him.
Police are comparing the conflicting accounts from both sides with CCTV footage from the scene and other evidence as part of their investigation into the complaint. They plan to summon Seungri soon as a person named in the complaint and investigate the details of the incident.
Meanwhile, Seungri retired from the entertainment industry in 2019 after being identified as a key figure in the “Burning Sun scandal.” He was later sentenced to one year and six months in prison on nine charges, including arranging prostitution and habitual gambling. After serving his sentence, he was released upon completion of his term in February 2023.

[email protected] Moon Young-jin Reporter