Lee Sun-gyun also said, “I didn’t know it was a drug.” Why celebrities?

It was reported on the 5th that actor Lee Seon-gyun (48), who is suspected of drug use, made a statement during a police investigation to the effect that “I took the drug without knowing it was a drug.”

According to the drug crime investigation unit of the Incheon Police Agency, Mr. Lee said during the summons, “Mr. A, the manager of the entertainment establishment, deceived me and gave me something.” He actually admitted to taking the drug itself, but denied intentionality. After being questioned for three hours the previous day, Mr. Lee met with reporters and said, “I answered all the questions with sincerity and told the truth.”

As Mr. Lee denied the intentional use of drugs, there was talk in the legal community that this investigation might be proceeding like previous drug investigations of other celebrities. Most people in the entertainment industry said “I didn’t know” when being investigated for drugs and avoided heavy punishment.

In 2011, G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong, 35) of the K-pop group Big Bang admitted to inhaling marijuana, but received a suspended indictment. At the time, Mr. Kwon said, “I mistook an item a stranger gave me to smoke, which I mistook for a cigarette, and inhaled it once.” Mr. Kwon was recently booked by the police on suspicion of drug use, but denied it, saying, “I have never taken drugs.” He also said, “I will voluntarily appear before the police on the 6th to ensure a quick and fair investigation.”

Yoo Ah-in (real name Eom Hong-sik, 37), who was indicted last month on drug use charges, said, “The administration of zolpidem was for the purpose of treating sleep disorders.” Although he took narcotics, it was for medical purposes and the drug was not taken intentionally. The prosecution requested an arrest warrant for Mr. Eom twice, but it was dismissed. Actor Ha Jung-woo (real name Kim Seong-hoon, 45) also denied in 2020, when controversy over propofol administration arose, saying, “Sleep anesthesia was performed at the discretion of the hospital director.” Mr. Kim was sentenced to a fine of 30 million won by the court.

In general, drug users are punished with up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to 50 million won. The sentence is determined considering intentionality and dosage. Na Chang-soo, a lawyer at Daeryun Law Firm and former chief prosecutor, said, “In the case of the marijuana charge applied to Mr. Lee Seon-kyun, there is a possibility that a suspended indictment may be issued depending on the circumstances such as intentionality, number, and period,” and “There is a possibility that a fine may be imposed on the psychotropic charge.”

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