BTS member Jin. [Provided by Big Hit Music]
BTS member Jin. [Provided by Big Hit Music]

A Japanese woman charged with forcibly kissing BTS member Jin failed to appear in court Tuesday.

Seoul Eastern District Court Judge Lee Ji-min opened the first hearing in the forced indecent act case against the woman, identified only as M, a Japanese national in her 50s, but the session ended after she did not appear.

"The defendant submitted a written document by mail, but I am not entirely sure what it means," Judge Lee said. "There is another hearing scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m., so I will adjourn for today."

M is accused of kissing Jin on the cheek during a "hug event" with 1,000 fans at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa-gu on June 13, 2024 — the day after Jin completed his mandatory military service.

Jin's visibly flustered reaction drew widespread attention online, and internet users filed a complaint against M, sparking a sexual misconduct controversy.

Police identified M through cooperation with Interpol but suspended the investigation in March last year, expecting it would take considerable time to question her.

M later entered the country and voluntarily presented herself to authorities. Police referred the case to prosecutors in May of that year, and prosecutors indicted her in November.

For defendants with foreign nationality, trial dates are typically scheduled roughly six months after indictment.


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