'Aekyung 2nd Generation' Chae Seung-seok "Regret Illegal Propofol Use... Also 'Direct Injection' Without Procedure"

Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Chae Seung-seok (50), former CEO of Aekyung Development, who is accused of illegally administering propofol, said, "I have let go of everything and deeply regret and reflect on my actions."

On the 2nd, Chae appeared as a witness at the continuation trial of plastic surgery hospital director Kim in a narcotics control law violation case, presided over by Judge Jeong Jong-geon of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 9, and made this statement.

Hospital director Kim is accused of habitually administering propofol illegally to members of chaebol families.

On that day, Chae said he first visited Kim's hospital for treatment in 2014 and received propofol, adding that Kim did not initially suggest the administration. When asked what benefits propofol provided that made him pay a considerable amount to visit the hospital, Chae replied, "It made my mind hazy and allowed me to rest comfortably for an hour or two."

Chae testified that Kim recommended so-called 'raw administration' of propofol without any special procedures, and that it actually happened. However, since doing raw administration every time would attract the attention of the staff, he and Kim agreed that one out of three times would involve an actual procedure.

Chae also said that when he told Kim he had encountered other chaebol family members at the hospital, Kim showed a sensitive reaction.

During the subsequent cross-examination, Kim's defense attorney questioned the credibility of Chae's testimony. The defense attorney pressed, "Isn't it possible that he testified as the prosecution intended to avoid detention or to receive a lighter sentence due to fear of punishment?"

In response, Chae said, "I am human too, and while I was afraid of detention, that was not the reason. It is equally disadvantageous to me, and I testified honestly to the prosecution." Regarding the reason for requesting the creation of a pseudonymous medical record, he explained that as a public figure, he felt burdened leaving records at the hospital.

Chae was indicted last month on charges of illegally administering propofol and is to be tried by the same court as Kim. The prosecution believes that Chae habitually administered propofol illegally at other medical institutions besides Kim's hospital.

Chae is the third son of Jang Young-shin, chairman of Aekyung Group, and stepped down from company management last year following the prosecution's investigation.

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