A 50-year-old Japanese woman identified as A has voiced her innocence regarding the charges of forcible molestation against BTS member Jin. On November 19, Japanese broadcaster TBS News cited that A, who has been indicted on these charges, said, “I’m frustrated. I didn’t think kissing could be a crime.” The report quoted a source familiar with the investigation as saying that A made this remark.

Earlier, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office indicted A without detention on the forcible molestation charge. The incident stems from an event in which A participated in a June fan gathering at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa District, Seoul to commemorate Jin’s military discharge, during which she allegedly kissed Jin on the cheek. At the time, she reportedly wrote on her personal blog that Jin’s neck “was touched by my lips” and that his skin was “very soft,” which drew further controversy.

Police, in cooperation with Interpol, identified A and brought her in for questioning. Although the investigation had been concluded once in March after A returned to Japan, it was resumed when she voluntarily returned to Korea and appeared for questioning, before being handed over to the prosecutors.