Delayed Trial for Japanese Woman Accused of Forcibly Kissing BTS Jin
The first trial for a 50-year-old Japanese woman, known as A, who was accused of forcibly kissing BTS member Jin during an "ambush kiss," has been delayed. A's initial trial, set to take place before Seoul Dongbu District Court Criminal Division 9 as a single-judge proceeding, has been rescheduled to the 16th. The court had appointed an interpreter for A, who is a Japanese citizen, and planned to conduct her first trial on the 14th, but the date was changed when A did not appear in court.
A had previously submitted a notice of objection and reservation of rights regarding the trial proceedings on the 1st of last month. The reasons behind her objection remain unknown, but it seems she had concerns about the current trial procedure. The focus now is on how A's objection might impact future proceedings and whether she will attend the first trial scheduled for the 16th.
A is accused of trying to forcibly kiss Jin on the cheek while hugging him at a fan meeting event called "Free Hug" on June 13, 2024, at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium in Seoul Songpa-gu, attended by around 100 fans. Jin reacted by turning away and looking flustered. A later posted on social media that her lips touched Jin's neck and praised his soft skin. Fans who witnessed the incident filed a complaint with the National Ombudsman Office, alleging indecent acts in a public space.
Seoul Songpa Police Station initiated an investigation and questioned A after she voluntarily appeared before the police. The investigation was initially suspended in March due to the anticipated time required to complete it. However, investigators later found enough evidence of forcible assault and transferred the case to the Prosecution Service. The Prosecution Service argued that A's actions, despite her belief that they were innocent physical contact with a celebrity, constituted a crime due to the lack of consent from the victim, Jin, and her behavior and statements after the incident.
In response to her indictment, A expressed her dismay to Japanese TBS News, stating that she never imagined her actions would be considered a crime and feeling a sense of injustice. The outcome of the trial and the impact of A's objections on the proceedings remain to be seen.