DKZ's Kyoungyoon leaves band following JMS scandal

Kyoungyoon from boy band DKZ [NEWS1]

Kyoungyoon from boy band DKZ will leave the band and start his mandatory military service, his agency Dongyo Entertainment said Monday.

Kyoungyoon has been taking a hiatus from group activities since April after his parents' alleged ties with the controversial pseudo-Christian religious organization Jesus Morning Star (JMS) were exposed by media outlets and fans in March.

"Since April, Kyoungyoon has been taking a break from group activities due to health issues and has been focusing on receiving adequate treatments," Dongyo Entertainment said in a statement on Monday.

"Kyoungyoon's health recovered significantly, and the agency had discussions in depth with Kyoungyoon. As a result, Kyoungyoon will end his activities as a member of DKZ and start his mandatory military service."

"Kyoungyoon, regardless of the reason, fully realizes the responsibility of causing concern to its fans and the members of DKZ," the agency said without mentioning his family's ties with the controversial cult.

Kyoungyoon, in a handwritten letter he shared the same day, said, "I am sorry to Dong-ari, who would've been startled and disappointed with issues regarding myself, and I would also like to thank Dong-ari for caring about us."

Dong-ari is the name of DKZ's official fandom.

"I've spent the last five months thinking about a lot of things … and have decided to let go of DKZ Kyoungyoon," he added. "I hope you can understand my decision as well," Kyoungyoon said.

The Netflix documentary series "In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal," released on March 3, covered four different controversial religious groups, including JMS, founded by Jeong Myung-seok, who has been convicted of raping and sexually exploiting young women of the cult across the world.

The series created a stir, and a long list of the names and addresses of businesses allegedly run by JMS followers began circulating online. The list included a cafe run by Kyoungyoon's parents in Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang.

Kyoungyoon previously said his parents' cafe "suspended its business" and "cut off all their ties with [JMS]."

To find out more on Kyoungyoon, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]