Actor, director and former Culture Minister Kim Myung-gon has been indicted for alleged sexual misconduct, judicial officials said Friday.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office indicted Kim, 71, without physical detention on charges of indecent act by compulsion.

Kim was charged with having unwanted physical contact with the victim twice in May 2014 while discussing issues related to a musical he was directing.

Kim said the victim accused him of holding a hand while trying to persuade the victim not to quit a day before the show, but Kim claimed the situation or atmosphere at the time had no room for such misconduct.

“What I said (at the prosecution) was that I don’t remember holding a hand, but if the victim claims that I did, I will respect that memory,” Kim told Yonhap News Agency, adding he will try to vindicate himself at the trial.

The ex-culture minister, also active in production, directing and acting, founded theater company Arirang in 1986. Kim was given the Blue Dragon Film Award for
Best Actor for playing a protagonist in “Seopyeonje,” a movie he had also engaged in as a screenwriter.

Kim then worked as the head of the National Theater of Korea for six years before serving as culture minister under the Roh Moo-hyun government from 2006-08.

Source: Yonhap News Agency