K-pop Artist Park Gyuri of Kara Encounters Additional Crypto Allegations Amid Ongoing Trial of Former Partner

Park Gyuri, a founding member of the K-pop girl group Kara, is encountering new cryptocurrency allegations just days after informing a court that she did not engage in her ex-partner’s purported altcoin fraud activities.

The situation centers around a low-cap, art-themed altcoin known as Pica Coin and its alleged orchestrator, Song Ja-ho, who is Park’s former boyfriend.

At the time of its launch, Park was reportedly designated as Pica’s Chief Communications Officer and Advisor.

Park Gyuri: Ongoing Crypto Allegations

Last week, prosecutors called Park as a witness in the Song fraud case. She stated before a branch of the Seoul Southern District Court that she had not participated in any unlawful cryptocurrency schemes or attempts to manipulate token values.

Park Gyuri (center) with her Kara groupmates in October 2009. (Source: Kiyoung Kim [CC BY 2.0])

She asserted that she believed Pica was a legitimate art-technology startup. Park also mentioned that she was employed at Pica “for a year as a curator and publicity manager, organizing and promoting exhibitions for artists.” The K-pop artist added:

“I knew nothing about cryptoassets. And I did not want any photos of me to feature in the Pica Coin white paper. I have never participated in or benefited from illegal coin operations. […] I have never made any profit from [this coin].”

Trading volumes on the Upbit crypto exchange over the past week. (Source: CoinGecko)

‘I Sold My BTC to Buy Altcoin,’ Star Claims

Additionally, Park claimed that she invested 60 million won (approximately $43,566) in Pica Coin in April 2021.

She indicated that she obtained the funds for the investment by liquidating her personal Bitcoin (BTC) assets.

However, the former Kara member stated that she “lost everything” when Pica Coin was delisted from the Upbit crypto exchange two months later, in June 2021.

Conversely, Pica Coin CEO Seong Hae-joong told the media outlet iMBC that Park’s statements were inaccurate. Seong claimed that Song “directly compensated her with 60 million won in cash in December of the same year, out of pity for her.”

This occurred despite the fact that Park and Song reportedly ended their relationship in September 2021. Seong provided the media outlet with screenshots of an alleged conversation regarding the “compensation” between Park and Song on KakaoTalk.

The screenshots seemingly depict Park inquiring of Song when he would send her the money on December 8, 2021. To this, he appears to reply: “Before the end of the month.”

Park also seems to “correct” Song’s intention to send 50 million, stating: “It wasn’t 50 million, but actually 60 million.”

Prosecutors Initiated Legal Proceedings in 2023

Seong further asserted that Park’s claims of never having profited from cryptocurrency were “untrue.” He contended that Park’s statements were “one-sided” and “lacked credibility.”

The media outlet reported that it had reached out to Park’s talent agency Big Boss Entertainment with multiple unsuccessful requests for comment.

However, the newspaper Maeil Kyungjae quoted Park’s representatives as saying: “We cannot comment on matters connected to Ms. Park’s private life.”

Park has previously expressed her frustration with the case on her social media accounts, questioning why she is not permitted to move on from her association with Pica.

https://twitter.com/TheKoreaHerald/status/1854717878622470231

In 2023, police arrested Song on charges of fraud and breach of trust. Prosecutors have accused him of soliciting investments for artworks he did not possess.

Authorities also suspect that Song may have manipulated Pica Coin prices for his own benefit.

Park debuted with Kara in 2007, and the group disbanded in 2016. Kara reformed in 2022 and is currently touring Asia, with performances scheduled for Yokohama, Japan, and Macau in August.

The post K-pop Star Park Gyuri of Kara Faces More Crypto Accusations as Ex-Lover’s Trial Continues appeared first on Cryptonews.