Police to Investigate Yoo Ah-in on Drug Use Charges Without Detention

Review of Warrant Application for Post-Investigation Disposition
Additional Summons May Occur Several More Times

On the 28th, it was reported that the police have decided to continue investigating actor Yoo Ah-in (real name Eom Hong-sik), who is suspected of drug use, without detention.

According to comprehensive reporting by this outlet, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Narcotics Crime Investigation Unit has decided to determine the disposition of Yoo, who was booked for violating the Narcotics Control Act, after completing all investigations. They plan to continue the investigation without detention but will decide whether to submit the final disposition to the prosecution with detention.

It was also reported that the police have not held any consultations with the prosecution regarding a detention warrant application for Yoo so far. Under the current Criminal Procedure Act, detention of a suspect is carried out by the police applying for a warrant to the prosecution, which then requests the court. In this process, it is common for the police to consult with the prosecution in advance to minimize the possibility of warrant rejection.

Actor Yoo Ah-in (real name Eom Hong-sik), who is accused of using drugs such as marijuana, propofol, cocaine, and ketamine, is speaking as he leaves the Drug Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency after completing a police investigation on the afternoon of the 27th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The reason the police set this policy is analyzed to be because the necessity for Yoo's detention at this stage has not been sufficiently met. It means that the seriousness of the crime has not been sufficiently proven to warrant detention. Lawyer Jang Joon-sung (Law Firm How) said, "When the court reviews the grounds for detention, it considers the seriousness of the crime," adding, "In Yoo's case, the seriousness of the crime does not seem clear."

The police reportedly summoned Yoo as a suspect the day before to question him about the specific circumstances and purpose of using propofol and other drugs. However, since the investigation has not been sufficiently conducted, additional summonses are inevitable in the future. A police official said, "If possible, we plan to conclude the investigation after the next summons." This implies that there is a lot to question, and Yoo may be called several more times for investigation.

In the investigation of Yoo, the police plan to comprehensively consider ▲ the exact number and circumstances of drug use ▲ whether he admits the charges ▲ concerns about evidence tampering, among other factors, to decide whether to apply for a detention warrant. Since the investigation is practically complete, this will likely be a review for the final disposition such as detention and transfer.

The police are also considering applying charges for violation of the Medical Service Act against hospital and clinic officials if it is confirmed that Yoo received prescriptions for propofol and other drugs for non-medical purposes or if the number of administrations was underreported in medical records. Earlier, the police conducted searches of hospitals and clinics suspected of prescribing propofol and other drugs to Yoo in the Gangnam and Yongsan districts of Seoul, as well as his residence, and summoned hospital and clinic officials, his manager, and acquaintances as witnesses for investigation.

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