Actor Choi Jung-won, formerly of the duo UN, was questioned by police over a stalking allegation and has publicly denied the claim.
According to an SBS report, Choi appeared before police on Aug. 19 for questioning related to a woman he knows personally.
Investigators say that on Aug. 16, Choi went to the woman’s studio apartment and engaged in behavior they deemed threatening. A court subsequently approved an emergency protective order.
The order bars him from approaching within 100 meters of the woman’s residence and from contacting her via electronic communications. Violations could result in criminal penalties.
On the morning of the 20th, Choi wrote on social media that the reports stemmed from “a personal dispute with my girlfriend,” adding that emotions ran high, which left room for misunderstandings, and that details were distorted in the process. He expressed regret over the confusion.
He also pushed back on talk of an “expose,” calling it misguided, and specifically denied claims that he brandished a weapon or stalked anyone. “Those claims are not true. Both my girlfriend and I clearly deny them,” he said.
Choi added that he plans to respond firmly to false information. He apologized for causing concern with his private life and said he will act with greater care and responsibility going forward.
Meanwhile, prosecutors recently rolled out new guidelines to manage temporary protective measures at each stage of criminal proceedings to better protect stalking victims. Police are also preparing on-scene protocols to more proactively respond to dating-violence cases.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)