Seungri’s former ramen restaurant franchise has cut ties with him and Yuri Holdings.

On March 14, Aori Ramen’s company, Aori FNB, released a statement via their official Instagram. The statement read:

Hello, this is Aori Ramen’s company, Aori FNB.

To all the customers and store-owners who kept their faith in Aori Ramen throughout the recent series of events, we would first like to apologize for causing you concern.

Our head office has been reorganizing after Lee Seung Hyun (Seungri) stepped down from his CEO position due to his upcoming military enlistment. To ensure the stable business of our franchise stores, we hired a new management specialist and on March 7 we held a planning meeting with the store-owners and offered them compensation. Depending on the situation, we intend to offer further compensation to the store-owners later on.

In order to protect the brand of our franchise stores and Aori Ramen, we have decided to cut all ties with Seungri and Yuri Holdings and make a fresh start. We are currently in discussions to transfer management rights to a new partner who is knowledgeable about the food and beverage industry and can provide good leadership to our franchise stores.

The 43 Aori Ramen franchise stores are not all owned by our former CEO’s acquaintances and family. In order to minimize damages to the other stores, we have decided to close the stores that do have a connection to him.

Because of the extreme news, stores that have worked hard and have no connection to the news are suffering damages. Aori Ramen’s head office will do our best to make sure to minimize damages to those hardworking, innocent franchise store-owners.

We ask once again for the understanding of all the customers who have loved Aori Ramen and we will continue to work to improve our taste and quality.

On March 14, Seungri went to the police station for his second round of questioning in the investigation into whether he violated the law on the punishment of prostitution mediation.

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New allegations have been made against Seungri.

On March 14, media outlet Sisa Journal revealed messages that showed evidence of Seungri engaging in habitual gambling abroad and providing sexual escort services to his business partner.

The messages revealed by the outlet included two participants, Seungri and his business partner from 2014 known as “A.” In the conversation, the two are discussing how much money they have each won from gambling. Seungri begins, “I won 200 million won (approximately $176,260)^^ You will also win big!!” In response, “A” says, “Okay~^^ I only need to win enough money to travel.”

“A” continues, “When are you leaving L.A.? [Are you heading over to] Shanghai or Japan?” Seungri answers, “Which hotel are you staying at? I’m returning to Korea around 11 p.m. today, and then I will go to Japan right away.”

Because South Korea follows the Territorial Principle, Koreans can be punished for gambling abroad even if the act is considered legal by the local laws.

In another conversation that Seungri and “A” allegedly exchanged in August 2014, the two appear to be discussing about which woman they should bring to their trip to Indonesia. The report further revealed that Seungri presented photos and information about the ages, jobs, and personalities of various women, and asked his business partner to choose a woman.

Seungri says, “No. 1 doesn’t talk a lot and likes money a little too much. She was also not very charming while getting drinks together. However, her visuals are great.” He continues, “No. 3 … her visuals are great and she is cheerful. She is also good and fun when we are out to drink. One flaw is that she is a mess when she’s drunk.” Seungri concludes, “I think No. 3 is good because she is bubbly.”

“A” asks in response, “What about No. 2, 4, and 5? Do you think we should meet up with one from No. 2, 4, and 5 one more time without No. 1? We need someone who is bubbly like No. 3.” Seungri replies, “No. 5 is good too.”

On March 14, Seungri arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to undergo questioning for charges including violating the law on the punishment of prostitution mediation for the second time. Upon his arrival, he delivered an apology and said he will be participating in the investigation with truthful responses.

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Top Photo Credit: Xportsnews