"Lee Seon-gyun, If You Were Confident, You Should Have Endured Until the End"…Controversy Over Police Agency Staff's 'Blind' Post

"Police Conducted Investigation Following Legal Procedures Only"

Actor Lee Seon-gyun (48), who was under police investigation for drug use allegations and tragically took his own life, has sparked controversy after an individual presumed to be a National Police Agency employee posted on an anonymous workplace community stating that they do not sympathize with his death.

On the 27th, a National Police Agency employee identified as A posted a message titled "I do not sympathize with the death of suspect Lee Seon-gyun" on the anonymous workplace community "Blind." At the beginning of the post, A questioned the public, asking, "Can you be proud of yourselves?" He then asserted, "The police only conducted the investigation according to legal procedures."

On the 27th, the funeral hall No. 1 at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was set up as the mourning site for the late actor Lee Seon-gyun.
[Photo by Joint Press Corps]

A explained, "The police requested Lee to appear and investigated based on credible testimony from the manager of the establishment linked to the drug suspect," adding, "We never definitively labeled him as a suspect nor referred the case to the prosecution. Investigating and registering someone as a subject of investigation based on statements and evidence is standard procedure, not only for famous celebrities but for anyone." He emphasized, "At this point, with the nationwide war on drugs and the government's declared response, even the slightest hint of drugs warrants strict investigation. It just happened to be Lee."

A also addressed the leaks of investigation details at various stages, insisting, "The police do not leak investigation information." He explained, "Leaks might occur only after some investigation procedures have progressed and if the suspect's guilt is highly likely. But before even appearing as a suspect to give a statement or before the case is officially registered, leaking investigation details is impossible due to external pressures."

He questioned, "Who confirmed that Lee 'used drugs' when he was only at the level of 'suspected of drug use'? Was it the police? The media? Or you?" He retorted, "Weren't you the ones most eager to know everything?" He further stated, "The police and media are responsible and cannot evade accountability. But are you free from responsibility?"

In conclusion, A said, "I feel very sorry for Lee Seon-gyun. However, if he had been honest and fair, he should have endured until the end. Instead of the excuse 'I inhaled it through my nose but thought it was a sleeping pill,' if he truly did it, he should have said, 'I did it, and I am sorry,' or if not, he should have stood firm and said, 'I really didn't do it.' His death should not be glorified. I don't think it was something worth dying over. Worse people live on stiff-necked. I pray for the deceased's soul, but I will not sympathize."

On the morning of the 29th, at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, the funeral procession of the late actor Lee Seon-gyun was held, during which his wife Jeon Hye-jin was weeping uncontrollably.
[Photo by Joint Press Corps]

Meanwhile, as some criticized that the police pressured Lee excessively with an overzealous investigation, on the 28th, Kim Hee-jung, Chief of the Incheon Police Agency, stated the official position that "the investigation related to Lee was conducted according to legal procedures based on specific tips and evidence."

He explained, "During the first investigation on October 28, the deceased expressed his intention to 'testify later,' so no detailed investigation was conducted. After the second investigation, additional evidence was secured, and he was questioned again on the 23rd." He added, "During the third investigation, the defense attorney requested to conduct the victim's investigation for the extortion case simultaneously to conclude everything at once. The long investigation was conducted to fully hear the deceased's testimony." He further noted, "The late-night investigation was also conducted with the deceased's consent and the attorney's participation. The attorney was involved in all processes related to the investigation, seizure, and forensic examination, and legal procedures such as video recording of the testimony were followed."

Chief Kim clarified, "There was no public demand for appearance by the police or any leak of investigation details as some have claimed." The police plan to close the investigation with "no prosecution" following Lee's death amid drug use allegations.

Lee was laid to rest on the 29th with his family and colleagues bidding their final farewells. At noon that day, Lee's wife, actress Jeon Hye-jin (47), and other bereaved family members held the funeral procession at the Seoul National University Hospital funeral hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. After the procession, Lee's eldest son, a middle school student, carried his portrait out of the funeral hall, while Jeon followed, shedding tears and holding the hand of their younger son.

Colleagues who were close to Lee during his lifetime also stayed by his side. Among them were close friend Jo Jin-woong, who worked with Lee in the film Hard Hit, Seol Kyung-gu from Kingmaker, Ryu Seung-ryong from All About My Wife, Gong Hyo-jin from the drama Pasta, Kim Dong-wook from Coffee Prince, and Lee Sung-min from the drama Golden Time, all of whom attended the funeral. Additionally, many actors including Yoo Hae-jin, Park Sung-woong, and Ryu Soo-young paid their respects to Lee.

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