Note: This is a full translation of an issue analysis by Korean culture critic Ha Jae-geun. The original article, dated May 18th 2019,first appeared in Dailian News KR.

Translation by: GottaTalk2V1212

It is too early to put a conclusion if we are to focus on the need for actual investigation of the Burning Sun Gate.

These days, there are more vicious comments appearing in news articles concerning artists belonging to YG Entertainment. Regardless of who the artist is, they will be attacked and boycotted just because they belong to YG. Recently, a university got caught in a great deal of criticism for having invited a YG artist in their festival, that their student government had to apologize. With the hatred on Seungri, the hate on YG became the status quo.

The excuse given is that Seungri is "the visual" of the Burning Sun Gate, and YG's CEO Yang Hyun-suk is behind it. The latest conversation topic being covered in the news is that, "It is in appropriate at this point to invite a singer from an agency under investigation for alleged rape, sexual favors, prostitution, tax evasion, corruption, police collusion, and drug distribution in the club." Moreover, "the act of spending on entertainment from YG's company, which is the source of allegations of club rape and other crimes, can be seen as an indirect sympathy towards malicious criminal activity."

Many people responded based on this and condemned YG. They demanded that the nation's felon and Burning Sun Gate's "visual" Seungri and YG be imprisoned. That is why the student government had to apologize.

However, contrary to the public's opinion, YG is not being investigated regarding the Burning Sun Gate.

In other words, the allegations of "club rape, drug distribution, and police collusion (in connection to Burning Sun)" are hearsays that are unfounded. Against these circumstances, it is problematic to conclude that YG is the "source of allegations of club rape and other crimes" that are behind the Burning Sun Gate.

Seungri is also not accused of being involved in the Burning Sun Gate. At present, it is about Seungri's personal corruption that an arrest warrant was filed but it has been rejected. It is possible to raise suspicions that the police conducted a public trial investigation by acting on public-driven opinion.

The truth of Burning Sun Gate is currently in limbo. Allegations have been raised that sex crimes and drug crimes committed by its VIP customers were organized, and that they were closely tied to public authority yet those were not revealed. Investigation authorities must focus on this part to reveal the truth.

However, they could lose the chance to reveal the true nature (of the issues) if they are only (*baselessly) targeting and “not asking” celebrities and entertainment agencies. That is why it is dangerous to conclude Seungri and YG as the core of the "Burning Sun Gate".

Investigations are (like) living organisms. The ending should not be presumed in advance. Instead of demanding to punish Seungri and YG by choosing them as the answer from the beginning, we should investigate the Burning Sun Gate itself and see who's name comes up and which line it ascends to. If at the end of it, Seungri and YG CEO Yang Hyun-suk's name comes out, that is the time we can argue on the matter. For now, it is impossible to draw conclusions.

It is said that the recent rejection of Seungri's arrest warrant is "Seungri's victory and justice has been defeated", but it is still unknown whether justice has been won or lost. If they want to put Seungri in custody at this point, the embezzlement charge must be cleared first. But if the police pushed ahead with public trial, considering Seungri's arrest as an objective of investigating the Burning Sun Gate, then we can say that the rejection of the warrant is a righteous victory. One cannot just simply say "Justice has lost. You call this a nation?" unconditionally.

The police, the media, and the public should look back and see if the door to the truth behind the Burning Sun Gate is closing because they have all hastily pinpointed the answers to the investigation of celebrities and entertainment agencies. They were also hasty to attack other artists who have nothing to do with Burning Sun, even if YG's criminal involvement were not clearly revealed. Now, it is time to focus on the need for the actual investigation of the Burning Sun Gate, rather than making early assertions.