Published : Dec. 12, 2013 - 15:37
(123rf)
검찰이 여성 연예인 수십명이 연루된 성매매 사건을 수사중인 것으로 확인되었다.
12일 복수의 언론 매체가 보도한 바에 따르면 수원지검 안산지청은 유명 텔런트를 포함한 연예인 수십여명이 연루된 것으로 알려진 성매매 사건을 지난 몇 달간 조사하고 있다고 한다. 검찰은 해당 연예인들은 벤처사업가, 기업 임원 등 재력가 남성을 상대로 성매매를 한 정황을 포착했다고 한다,
안산지청 관계자에 따르면 연예인 수십 명이 동원되어 조직적인 성매매가 이뤄진 것으로 파악되고 있으며, 특히 수사 대상중 미인대회에 입상 후 연예계에 데뷔해 여러 영화 및 드라마에서 주연급으로 출연했던 30대 여성 탤런트가 포함되어 있는 것으로 알려져 충격을 주고 있다.
검찰은 혐의를 받고 있는 연예인에 대한 수사가 마무리되는 대로 이들과 성관계를 맺은 것으로 의심되는 남성들을 차례로 소환조사할 방침이다.
검찰은 앞서 성매매를 알선한 혐의를 받고 있는 인물을 상대로 구속영장을 청구했으나 법원으로부터 기각당한 이후 조만간 증거를 보완해 영장을 재청구할 것이라고 한다.
Prosecution on trail of celebrity prostitution ring
By Choi He-suk
The prosecution is probing into a large prostitution ring involving female celebrities, it was revealed Thursday.
The prosecutors’ office for Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, has been looking into the ring, allegedly involving about 30 female celebrities, for several months. The Ansan prosecutors’ public relations department declined to confirm the number of suspects.
The investigators have questioned a number of suspects, and are now seeking a warrant to detain the individual alleged to have been in charge of connecting celebrities with the clients.
Although there have been widespread rumors of female celebrities receiving support from wealthy or powerful men in return for sexual favors, this is the first time the authorities have secured evidence of a prostitution ring.
In addition, a related scandal broke out in 2009 when actress Jang Ja-yeon killed herself amid allegations that she was forced into providing sexual favors.
As such, the prosecution is said to be planning to conduct a stringent investigation, prompting pundits to predict that higher-than-usual penalties could be in store for those found guilty in the case.
The Act on the Punishment of Acts of Arranging Sexual Traffic stipulates that prostitution is punishable by a prison term of up to one year or fine of 3 million won ($2,800), and those organizing prostitution by up to three-year imprisonment or less than 30 million won fine. However, prosecution is often stayed for first-time offenders.
Those suspected of prostitution are said to include a number of well-known figures including an actress in her 30s who debuted after winning a prize in a beauty pageant in the 1990s. Another key suspect is said to be an actress who has appeared in a number of television dramas carried by terrestrial broadcasters.
Once the first stage of the investigation is complete, the investigators plan to begin summoning those suspected of purchasing their services.
The men involved in the case are said to consist of businessmen, executives of large companies and other wealthy individuals.
(
cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)