Prosecution Indicts and Detains Namyang Dairy Heir for Drug Use and Supply...Will the 'Third-Generation Chaebol Drug Scandal' Erupt?

Namyang Dairy Products Headquarters Entrance Signboard [Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution recently indicted the grandson of the founder of Namyang Dairy Products on charges of habitual drug use and supplying drugs to others, and is reportedly expanding its investigation to related parties, drawing significant attention.

It is reported that children from wealthy families, including third-generation heirs of other conglomerates, have been collectively placed under the prosecution's investigation. The prosecution considers all of them accomplices. Depending on the progress of the investigation, there is a possibility that a 'Third-generation Conglomerate Drug Scandal' may erupt.

According to the legal community on the 2nd, the Violent Crimes Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Shin Jun-ho) indicted Hong (40) on the 15th of last month on charges of marijuana possession and habitual use (violation of the Narcotics Control Act).

Hong is the grandson of the late Hong Doo-young, honorary chairman and founder of Namyang Dairy Products. He is accused not only of using marijuana but also of sharing his marijuana with close acquaintances and international students and smoking it together. Among those who received and smoked marijuana from Hong, it is known that many are third-generation heirs of conglomerate families, including the family of the head of the leading domestic company H. About ten individuals are reportedly under the prosecution's investigation.

The prosecution is expanding its investigation, believing there may be more undisclosed drug charges involving third-generation heirs of conglomerate families. The prosecution aims to speed up the investigation and conclude the case by mid-month.

Due to Hong's drug case, the founding family of Namyang Dairy Products is once again facing a 'third-generation drug risk,' following the controversy caused by the founder's granddaughter Hwang Hana, who was involved in methamphetamine use.

Previously, Hwang was sentenced in 2019 by the appellate court to one year in prison with a two-year probation for repeatedly using methamphetamine with acquaintances, including her ex-boyfriend, singer Park Yoo-chun, from 2015 to 2018. She was caught using drugs again in 2020 during her probation period and was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison by the Supreme Court in February this year.

Hong has hired a former prosecutor with extensive experience in drug investigations to prepare for the first trial. Attorney Jeon Seung-soo of Dongin Law Firm (Judicial Research and Training Institute class 26), who is handling Hong's case, previously investigated and indicted hip-hop singer Bumkey on drug use charges while working at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office. He also investigated drug allegations involving the son-in-law of Kim Moo-sung, former leader of the Saenuri Party. Hong's first trial will be held on the 23rd at the Seoul Central District Court, Criminal Division 27 (Presiding Judge Kim Ok-gon).

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