Celebrity sex-for-money is probed

Prosecutors are investigating accusations that as many as 30 female celebrities, some very well known, were paid by influential businessmen to provide sexual services.

The Ansan branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office has already questioned actresses suspected of prostitution after it launched an investigation earlier this year.

Among the suspects is an actress in her 30s who starred in a number of TV dramas and movies. She is suspected of having been paid for sexual services with cash or goods worth hundreds of millions of won.

Another actress suspected in the scandal has also starred in a number of popular TV dramas.

In August, prosecutors requested a pre-trial detention warrant for a man suspected of brokering trysts between a number of celebrities and powerful figures in business circles. A court rejected the request, citing a lack of evidence.

The prosecutors are trying to gather more evidence against the broker and plan to request another warrant in coming days.

Men who have allegedly paid the celebrities for sex are also expected to be summoned for questioning.

“There have been rumors about businessmen offering so-called sponsorships to celebrities before,” a prosecutor involved in the case said.

“But this is the first time that such a large number of female entertainers were mobilized to provide sex for money alone.”

The prosecutor said this case implicates some very well-known celebrities.

Rumors about paid relationships between actresses and influential men reoccur in Korea.

In 2009, an aspiring actress named Jang Ja-yeon killed herself at the age of 30 and left a suicide note claiming she was coerced into having drinks with members of the media and business moguls. The note also said she was forced to provide them sexual services.

[jkkang2@joongang.co.kr]