Woman indicted for forcibly kissing BTS's Jin objects to trial schedule

A Japanese woman, identified as A, who has been indicted for forcibly kissing BTS member Jin, has raised an objection through her legal counsel regarding the scheduling of her trial.

The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office indicted A in November 2025 on charges of forcible indecent act, without detention. The Seoul Eastern District Court's Criminal Division 9 had planned to hold two trial sessions for A in July 2026. It has now been confirmed that A submitted, through her legal representative, a notice of objection and reservation of rights concerning the scheduling of those sessions. With the court's decision on the matter not yet finalized, attention is turning to how this may affect the proceedings going forward.

According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on June 13, 2024, at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium in Songpa District, Seoul, during a "free hug" fan meeting event attended by 100 fans. A approached Jin for a hug and forcibly kissed him on the cheek. Jin immediately turned away, visibly caught off guard. A later posted on social media, "My lips touched Jin's neck. His skin was very soft."

Fans who witnessed the incident subsequently filed a complaint through Korea's National Petition Portal, requesting an investigation into indecent conduct in a crowded public place. The case was handed to Songpa Police Station in Seoul, which opened an investigation and requested A appear for questioning. However, with the investigation expected to take considerable time, police suspended it in March 2026. A later entered Korea voluntarily and appeared for questioning, after which Songpa Police Station determined that the forcible indecent act charge was substantiated and referred the case to prosecutors.

At the time, A reportedly claimed she had no criminal intent, believing the contact amounted to no more than casual physical contact with a celebrity. Prosecutors, however, are said to have concluded that the charge held up regardless of her stated intent, citing the fact that the contact occurred without the victim's consent, as well as her subsequent behavior and statements.

A later spoke to Japan's TBS News about her indictment, saying, "I'm upset. I never imagined this would be considered a crime."

However, according to the Japanese legal outlet Bengo4.com News, Japanese attorney Masahiro Ogura pointed to Article 16 of Korea's Criminal Act, saying A's statement was unlikely to be accepted as grounds for exemption from criminal liability. "In principle, this is considered to constitute forcible indecent act under Korean criminal law," he explained. Article 16 of the Criminal Act (Mistake of Law) states that an act committed under the mistaken belief that it does not constitute a crime under the law shall not be punished only when there are justifiable grounds for that mistaken belief. The attorney added that even under Japanese criminal law, such a statement would not be accepted as grounds for acquittal or a reduced sentence.

Attention now turns to what position A will take when the case goes to trial.