Prosecutors on Thursday indicted 12 individuals without detention in connection with an alleged celebrity prostitution ring.
The Ansan branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office is reported to have delved into the case after securing related information during a drug-related case in May.
Unlike earlier reports, none of the big-name celebrities rumored to be involved were among the three men and nine women indicted.
Although the prosecution did not release any names, rumors circulated that a number of female stars including actresses Kim Sa-rang and Lee Da-hae had provided sexual services for sums as large as 50 million won ($47,000).
“The person who arranged sale of sexual services is a man, and although a detention warrant was sought twice in August, it was rejected,” a prosecution official was quoted as saying by media.
He added that the investigation was being concluded quickly to prevent further harm to those named in the rumors circulating on social networks.
According to the official, most of the women involved have appeared on television but are not considered to be celebrities, having appeared only on rare occasions.
The case became public last week, when reports came out citing unnamed prosecution officials as saying that as many as 30 well known celebrities were implicated in the case.
A number of celebrities who were rumored to be involved in the case, including actress Lee Da-hae and singer Solbi, have stated that they will take legal action against people spreading the rumors.
By Choi He-suk (
cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)