‘Excessive’ police questioning over celebrities’ alleged drug use comes under fire

Lee Sun-kyun arrives at the office of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency in Incheon on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, for the third round of police questioning on suspicions of drug use. Image: Yonhap via The Korea Herald

Controversy is brewing over the police’s excessive investigation of celebrities following the sudden death of actor Lee Sun-kyun. Lee was found dead in an apparent suicide on Wednesday, Dec. 27, days after police questioning amid suspicions of illegal drug use.

According to the police, the alleged case of illegal drug use against Lee was first made public on Oct. 19 through a report by the local media. It was when the case was still in the confidential initial stage of investigation.

But the leakage of information on the investigation caused irreversible damage to the world-renowned actor’s reputation.

“It is not common to see the names of those under investigation revealed at such an early stage. When information in an investigation is exposed, the case will inevitably face difficulties getting resolved as the investigation’s strategy will also be exposed,” said a police official with experience in investigating drug-abuse cases involving celebrities.

Lee’s attorney had said last week that any further questioning should be conducted privately, as the actor felt “pressured” by having to show up in front of cameras for police summons.

The attorney said the police didn’t accept Lee’s request to privately conduct a police summons.

Also, summonses of celebrities solely based on the statement of one individual came under fire.

Kim Hee-joong, commissioner of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, speaks during a press conference held at the police agency’s office in Incheon on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Image: Yonhap via The Korea Herald

Regarding Lee’s case, police kicked off the investigation based on the statement of a 20-something host employed at a high-end bar in Seoul. She had a record of six convictions, including for illegal drug use.

Based on her comments, police also summoned G-Dragon last month and booked him without detention on charges of allegedly violating the Narcotics Control Act.

But the investigation into G-Dragon abruptly wrapped up earlier this month after he tested negative in comprehensive analyses of his hair, toenail and fingernail samples through a rapid reagent drug test on Nov. 6.

The police claimed they had also been planning to end the investigation into Lee with no arraignment. Lee had also tested negative in both comprehensive analyses of his hair samples and a rapid reagent drug test.

On Thursday, the chief of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, which was responsible for cases of celebrities’ alleged drug use, said that the entire investigation process was strictly legitimate.

“The investigation into Lee was conducted following legal procedures based on specific statements and evidence. We carried out the recent questioning to thoroughly investigate Lee’s statement with his lawyer present. We have never asked the actor for public attendance to questioning sessions nor have we leaked information about the investigation,” said Kim Hee-joong, commissioner of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency.