Cha Seung-seok Admits Charges at First Trial for Propofol Administration

Psychotropic Sleep Anesthetic Propofol

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Chae Seung-seok, former CEO of Aekyung Development, who was indicted on charges of habitual administration of the psychotropic anesthetic 'Propofol,' admitted all charges at his first trial. On the morning of the 21st, at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 9 presided over by Judge Jeong Jong-geon, Chae's defense attorney stated, "The defendant has confessed to all the crimes." When Judge Jeong asked Chae if he agreed with his attorney's statement, he replied, "Yes."

Chae was indicted for habitually administering Propofol at a plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam, Seoul. He is also accused of conspiring with the clinic's director to falsify medical records. The prosecution confirmed Chae's charges while investigating the clinic last November amid allegations that Propofol was administered to second- and third-generation chaebols. Last month, Chae appeared as a witness at the trial of the clinic director and effectively admitted the charges by stating, "I visited the clinic in 2014 for skin care, was administered Propofol, and naturally became addicted."

Chae is the third son of the late Chae Mong-in, founder of the Aekyung Group. He served as CEO of Aekyung Development from 2005 but stepped down after being investigated for Propofol administration charges. On the 3rd, the prosecution sought a six-year prison sentence for the plastic surgery clinic director, who is accused of habitually administering Propofol to chaebol family members including Chae, and a four-year sentence for a nursing assistant. The sentencing hearing for these individuals will be held on the 23rd.

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