[Anchor]

A sitting Cheongju City Council member is under police investigation on charges of prostitution involving a minor. Despite being questioned as a suspect this past May, the council member ran in the election and was elected without disclosing this fact.

CJB reporter Park Eon reports.

[Reporter]

Police investigators are seen leaving the office of a Cheongju City Council member.

Police conducted simultaneous searches of the home and office of 35-year-old first-term council member Choi Young-jung of the People Power Party, following allegations that he engaged in prostitution with a minor through what is known as a conditional meeting.

Choi is accused of having sexual relations with a middle school student three times over a one-year period from October 2024 to October 2025, in locations including vehicles and lodging facilities.

Police believe he met the victim through a chat app and lured her into sexual relations by offering small amounts of money or cigarettes.

The police are investigating not only the prostitution charges but also the possibility of sexual exploitation crimes.

The search warrant lists four charges, including child prostitution, production of sexual exploitation material, conversation for the purpose of sexual exploitation, and solicitation of sexual services. It is reported that the solicitation charge was included because he allegedly offered more money if the victim brought a friend.

The case came to light after the victim's parents filed a complaint with the police this past February.

The police summoned Choi for questioning as a suspect in May, ahead of the local elections.

It is reported that Choi stated at the time, "I did engage in prostitution, but I did not know she was a minor."

Choi ran in the election without informing his provincial party chapter that he was under investigation and ultimately secured his seat.

The police plan to conduct a digital forensic analysis of the seized mobile phones and other items to determine if there are additional charges before deciding on how to proceed with Choi's detention.

(Video coverage: Park Hee-sung, CJB / Source: Instagram of Cheongju City Council member Choi Young-jung)

Reported by Park Eon, CJB