Seoul Police Acting Chief: "Drug Analysis Requested for Lee Kyungkyu's Driving After Taking Prescribed Medication"

The police have requested a drug analysis for comedian Lee Kyungkyu (65), who is suspected of driving after taking medication.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Park Hyunsoo, Acting Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a regular press briefing on the 16th, "On June 9, we requested a drug analysis for Mr. Lee from the National Forensic Service," and added, "Currently, we are conducting a pre-investigation (internal inquiry) on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act and are in the process of verifying the facts."

It is known that on June 8, Mr. Lee tested positive in a preliminary drug reagent test conducted by the police while driving in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. At the time, due to a parking attendant's mistake, Mr. Lee drove a vehicle of the same model as his own, which belonged to someone else. The police, responding to a report of suspected vehicle theft, conducted a drug test.

Mr. Lee denies the allegations, stating that he only took medication prescribed for panic disorder.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Acting Commissioner Park commented on Bang Si-hyuk, Chairman of HYBE, who is suspected of deceiving investors in 2019 by claiming there were no plans for an initial public offering (IPO) and then proceeding with the listing. Park said, "As the investigation proceeds, we will continue to cooperate with the prosecution and the Financial Supervisory Service as necessary."

However, a police official said it was difficult to answer regarding the specific reasons why the prosecution returned the search and seizure warrants for HYBE, which were requested by the police, on two occasions, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Regarding the SK Telecom hacking incident, the police are expanding international joint investigations with law enforcement agencies in at least three countries, as well as with Interpol. Concerning Jeong Jinseok, former Chief Presidential Secretary, who has been accused of ordering the destruction of the president's PC, the police plan to proceed with questioning the complainant after reviewing the legal issues.

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