Following the reports suspecting that BIGBANG’s T.O.P is receiving special treatment while serving his mandatory military duties, the Yongsan District Office has denied the reports in a thorough explanation.

On March 19, MBC’s “Newsdesk” had reported that the calendar of T.O.P’s work days showed that he took off more days as sick leave than his peers and that there was no document stating his diagnosis.

In response, a source from the Yongsan District Office clarified, “In the case of a public service worker requesting for sick leave and also wanting to take four consecutive weekdays off, he is required to submit a document of the doctor’s official diagnosis. However, T.O.P has never taken four consecutive weekdays off. He did not need to submit the document because the four days he took off included the weekend.”

The source continued, “However, if [a worker] wants to take three or less weekdays off as sick days, [he] has to submit the confirmation of treatment, prescription, and a doctor’s note. In addition, if he received treatment but [his conditions] unfortunately did not improve, and he has to take sick days off without going to the hospital, it’s possible [to take sick leave] if he gets permission from the head of the department.” In Korea, a doctor’s note contains only a medical opinion, and it is different from requesting a document of the doctor’s official diagnosis.

The source added, “After checking T.O.P’s dates of sick leave, we found that he submitted all the required documents that prove [the validity of his reasons for taking sick leave]. Furthermore, he is granted 30 days of sick leave until he is discharged from his service, and young men with health issues work as public service workers for a reason.”

The source concluded, “[The news outlet] raised questions and reported without fully comprehending the regulations.”

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The Military Manpower Administration has confirmed the delay of Seungri’s military enlistment.

Previously, Seungri submitted an official request on March 18.

On March 20, the following official statement was released:

Regarding the request by singer Seungri (Lee Seung Hyun) to delay his military enlistment date, the Military Manpower Administration (Commissioner Ki Chan Soo) has decided on the delay due to the following reasons.

– The person liable for military service requested the enlistment delay to participate in his investigation

– The investigative authorities requested to the Military Manpower Administration for the enlistment to be delayed in order to investigate the person liable for military service thoroughly and consistently

– Therefore, the active duty enlistment date was delayed based on Article 61 of the Military Service Act and Article 129 of the Enforcement Decree for this act.

Once the postponement period for his military enlistment expires, the status of his enlistment and postponement will be decided again based on regulations of the Military Service Act.

– Article 60 of the Military Service Act and Article 128 of the Enforcement Decree for this act: Enlistment postponed if imprisoned

– Article 61 of the Military Service Act and Article 129 of the Enforcement Decree for this act: Other unavoidable reasons

The Military Manpower Administration plans on amending the law so that a person liable for military service can have his enlistment delayed by the authority of the Military Manpower Administration if the person liable is enlisting as an escape after causing a societal disturbance or if there is a request by investigative authorities for any other important investigations.

Seungri was previously scheduled to enlist as an active duty soldier on March 25.

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On March 19, MBC’s “Newsdesk” reported news on the woman known as “Anna,” an MD (merchandiser, also known as promoter) at the club Burning Sun.

Anna, who is a Chinese woman, was interrogated by the police under suspicion of selling drugs to VIP clients at Burning Sun.

She previously shared a photo with Seungri on social media, but Seungri stated that he doesn’t know who she is and said he took a photo with her at the club at her request. Anna is also one of the women who sued Kim Sang Kyo, the man who first put Burning Sun in the public eye with accusations of assault in February, for sexual harassment.

According to MBC, Anna’s hair and urine were tested for drugs by the National Forensic Service on March 16 during the first round of investigations, and the results from her hair came back positive for methamphetamine, ecstasy, opium, marijuana, and ketamine.

Anna was caught for use of ecstasy and ketamine in September 2018, but the test results showed different drugs this time. She will go through the second round of questioning where the police will investigate from whom and how she obtained the drugs.

During an interview with KBS, Anna said, “The fluid that was seized is eye drops for my cat because I have a cat. The white powder [taken by the police] is laundry detergent.” When asked if she has ever sold drugs, she denied the accusations.

Former employees of Burning Sun have been testifying that Anna distributed drugs to Chinese VIP customers. MBC News asked a customer if it was known that Anna distributed drugs to other Chinese customers, the customer replied, “Everyone knew. They share information like who can supply the drugs amongst each other.”

The police are investigating the truth and scale of the Chinese customers who received and used drugs from Anna, and if Burning Sun employees knew about the suspicion of drug distribution to Chinese customers.

The police revealed that the probability of an arrest without warrant is low since Anna made two voluntary appearances, but that the possibility of an application for an arrest warrant can’t be ruled out.

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