Rapper E-Sens denies groping charge at first trial, calls contact 'mutually consensual'

Rapper E-Sens, whose real name is Kang Min-ho, denied charges of forcible indecent conduct at his first trial Wednesday, after requesting a formal court proceeding following a summary indictment and fine.

Seoul Southern District Court's Criminal Division 12, presided over by Judge Seo Young-woo, held the first hearing in the case Wednesday morning.

According to prosecutors, Kang allegedly groped a victim, identified only as A, at a club in Mullae-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on Aug. 3 last year, pressing his body against her and touching her buttocks with his hand despite her refusal.

His defense attorney flatly denied the charges at the hearing, arguing that "the contact was not coerced."

Seoul Southern District Court had issued a summary order on Aug. 23 directing Kang to pay a fine of 5 million won ($3,650) and complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program.

E-Sens contested the ruling and requested a formal trial.

On his social media, he said he had exchanged greetings with several strangers at the party that night, including the complainant and her group, and that the atmosphere had been relaxed — they had toasted, danced and at some point swapped phone numbers. "After that, there was no further contact," he wrote.

He added that the complainant's side had suddenly demanded an apology, claiming sexual assault. "Because I had no intention of apologizing for something that never happened, I did not respond," he wrote, noting that the complainant filed a formal complaint months later, leading to the trial now underway.

"I want to make clear that any physical contact at issue occurred in a mutually consensual and natural atmosphere — there was no coercion, assault or intimidation, and I never attempted any improper contact against the other person's will," he added.

The court set the next hearing for Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.