Seoul — K-pop star Jung Joon-young has been arrested, hours after he apologized for filming and distributing illicit videos, in a scandal that has rocked South Korea’s entertainment industry.

The videos of at least 10 women were shared through mobile chat rooms in 2015 with recipients including fellow K-pop star Seungri of BIGBANG.

The Seoul Central District Court issued the arrest warrant late Thursday, hours after Jung appeared at a hearing and apologized for committing “unforgivable crimes”, the South’s Yonhap news agency reported.

“I am sorry. I made a big and inexcusable mistake, and I admit my guilt,” he said.

“I will live my days repenting for the sins.”

Following the hearing, the 30-year-old was led away in handcuffs and taken to a police station to await the court’s decision on the warrant.

Jung announced his retirement from the entertainment industry last week and two other male singers have also quit after admitting they watched the illicit videos.

South Korea has been battling a growing epidemic of so-called “molka”, or spycam videos -- mostly of women, secretly filmed by men in schools, toilets and offices. — AFP