K-pop sex scandal: Burning Sun nightclub linked to underage trafficking, violent abuse by VIP clients, further exposing mistreatment of South Korean women

Burning Sun reportedly provided secret sites and services for its top clients, including men from powerful Korean families

A police officer tasked with investigating Burning Sun was also alleged to have been in collusion with the establishment

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An investigative report has unveiled new claims involving the Burning Sun nightclub. Photo: Handout

Published: 8:29pm, 25 Apr 2019Updated: 12:48pm, 26 Apr 2019

Shocking new claims involving a nightclub at the centre of South Korea’s K-pop sex scandal have emerged in an investigative report by local media, potentially implicating the relatives of well-known and powerful figures.

On Tuesday, South Korean investigative news programme Straight reported allegations of underage sex trafficking and violent sexual abuse of women taking place at Burning Sun, a club in the upmarket Seoul suburb of Gangnam that was co-owned by Seungri, a former member of K-pop band BigBang.

Burning Sun provided secret sites and services for its top VIP clientele – reportedly comprising men from powerful Korean families, including the son of a former politician – to carry out the abuse, Straight reported.

Seungri, formerly of K-pop band BigBang, was a co-owner of Burning Sun. Photo: Reuters

The programme, broadcast on the MBC TV channel, reported that numerous women – including underage teenagers groomed for prostitution – were drugged by club employees, before being subjected to violent sexual assault that was so severe, a discreet clean-up crew nicknamed the “incinerators” were on call to remove blood and other incriminating evidence using forensic-grade chemicals.

A police officer tasked with investigating Burning Sun was also alleged to have been in collusion with the establishment.

K-pop sex scandal: Burning Sun nightclub linked to underage trafficking, violent abuse by VIP clients, further exposing mistreatment of South Korean women

Burning Sun reportedly provided secret sites and services for its top clients, including men from powerful Korean families A police officer tasked with investigating Burning Sun was also alleged to have been in collusion with the establishment

Burning Sun reportedly provided secret sites and services for its top clients, including men from powerful Korean families

A police officer tasked with investigating Burning Sun was also alleged to have been in collusion with the establishment