Police: "No Evidence of Lee Boo-jin's Illegal Propofol Use" Investigation Closed

Lee Boo-jin, President of Hotel Shilla Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The police have concluded with no charges and closed the investigation regarding Lee Boo-jin (50), President of Hotel Shilla, who was suspected of habitual propofol use. However, the hospital director who administered propofol to President Lee was sent to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment on charges of violating the Medical Service Act.

On the 23rd, the Metropolitan Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that President Lee was cleared with no charges and the investigation was closed, while the hospital director was sent to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment, and two nursing assistants were sent with a recommendation for non-prosecution. A police official explained, "It was confirmed that President Lee visited the plastic surgery hospital in 2016 and underwent procedures during which propofol was used," but added, "The amount of propofol used was determined by expert evaluation not to constitute misuse, and no other evidence proving illegal administration was found."

Last March, when allegations arose that Vice President Lee received propofol at a plastic surgery hospital in Gangnam, the police launched an investigation. The police booked the hospital director on charges of violating the Medical Service Act and the Narcotics Control Act, and conducted a total of eight raids on the hospital and financial institutions to secure medical records and narcotics management ledgers. President Lee was also summoned for police questioning on the 22nd of last month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.