After getting entangled in a series of controversies involving sexual escort services accusations for which he was allegedly a part of, Seungri of K-Pop group BIGBANG released a statement on Instagram announcing that he will no longer be part of the entertainment industry.

Announcing his retirement through a lengthy message, Seungri wrote: "This is Seungri. At this point, I think it would be best if I retire from the entertainment industry. I decided on retiring from the entertainment industry as the issues that I caused a societal disturbance with are too major. Regarding the issues that are being investigated, I will be investigated diligently and reveal all the suspicions."

He then went on: "Receiving criticism and hate from the public for the past month and a half and with the situation of all the investigative agencies in the country currently investigating me, I am even being cornered as a traitor of the nation. I personally cannot tolerate causing harm to everyone around me in order to save myself."

"I sincerely thank all of the fans in and outside of Korea who has given me lots of love for the past 10 years, and I think this is where I stop even if it’s at least [to protect] the honor of YG and BIGBANG. Again, I am sorry and apologize once again. I have been thankful to everyone until now," he concluded the statement he wrote as translated by Soompi.

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승리입니다 제가 이시점에서 연예계를 은퇴를하는것이 좋을거같습니다. 사회적 물의를 일으킨 사안이 너무나 커 연예계 은퇴를 결심했습니다 수사중인 사안에 있어서는 성실하게 조사를 받아 쌓인 모든 의혹을 밝히도록 하겠습니다. 지난 한달반동안 국민들로부터 질타받고 미움받고 지금 국내 모든 수사기관들이 저를 조사하고 있는 상황에서 국민역적 으로까지 몰리는 상황인데 저 하나 살자고 주변 모두에게 피해주는일은 도저히 제스스로가 용납이 안됩니다 지난 10여 년간 많은 사랑을 베풀어준 국내외 많은 팬분들께 모든 진심을 다해 감사드리며 와이지와 빅뱅 명예를 위해서라도 저는 여기까지인거같습니다 다시한번 죄송하고 또 죄송합니다 그동안 모든분들께 감사했습니다

A post shared by @ seungriseyo on Mar 11, 2019 at 1:39am PDT

Seungri, who is yet to reveal the exact date of his retirement, comes less than a week since reports of his forthcoming enlistment in the military on March 25 came out.

Last January, Seungri, whose real name is Lee Seung-hyun, held a show at the Mall of Asia Arena as part of his The Great Seungri Tour 2019.

Former 2NE1 member and a close friend of his, Sandara Park, also joined the show as his special guest.