'From Yoo Ah-in to Jeon Woo-won'... Why Is the Drug Investigation Slow?

Criticism has arisen questioning whether the police lack the will to investigate as the investigation into suspects, including actor Yoo Ah-in (real name Eom Hong-sik) and Jeon Woo-won, grandson of former President Jeon Du-hwan, who tested positive for drug substances and partially admitted to the charges, has been delayed. Despite being a serious case suspected of habitual drug use, no arrest warrants have been requested. Experts cite difficulties in specifying the charges and manpower issues due to the surge in crimes as reasons for the slow progress in drug investigations.

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

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Experts unanimously agree that it is difficult to prove charges based solely on the detection of drug substances in hair samples. Lawyer Park Jin-sil stated, “Charges must be specified for prosecution to proceed. In addition to the time it takes to receive test results, supplementary investigations are needed to confirm the time, place, and method of drug use, which can slow down the investigation.” She added, “If drug substances are detected in urine tests, the timing of use can be pinpointed within about a week, making prosecution relatively easier. However, hair tests can detect drug use up to a year prior, requiring extensive supplementary investigations to specify the timing.”

The case of Mr. Yoo, in which four types of drugs?propofol, marijuana, cocaine, and ketamine?were detected in body hair by the National Forensic Service, is similar. The police appear to be shifting to supplementary investigations after Yoo’s side denied allegations of using medical narcotics other than partial marijuana inhalation. Currently, the police are investigating accomplices who used drugs together with Yoo.

A police officer involved in drug investigations said, “There have been precedents where courts acquitted defendants based solely on individual evidence such as hair test results from the National Forensic Service or confessions.” He added, “For prosecution, investigations must cover the drug acquisition route, as well as the time and place of use.” He further noted, “From the perspective of ordinary citizens, there may be misunderstandings about why investigations are delayed despite drug substances being detected in hair samples.”

Due to the nature of drug crimes committed secretly in private places, specifying the charges is also difficult. Professor Lee Yun-ho, Chair of the Department of Police Science at Korea Cyber University, explained, “If drugs are used alone or with acquaintances at home, collecting evidence is not easy. Drug crimes are often called victimless crimes. The perpetrator is also the victim. Since there are no victims, there are no reports, making investigations more difficult than those involving victims.”

Professor Lee added, “It is difficult to immediately keep up with the increasing rate of drug crimes by simply supplementing manpower. The rise of new types of drugs is also a factor slowing down investigations. The absolute number of crimes is increasing, and with more diverse technologies, investigations take longer.”

Jeon Kyung-soo, President of the Korean Society of Drug Crime Studies, said, “For years, drugs have been gradually spreading underground. The problem, which had been festering due to a lack of manpower in the public sector, has now erupted. With thousands of new types of drugs emerging, it is urgent for each province to establish forensic institutions and invest in training experts.”

Regarding criticism that the investigation has proceeded without a single arrest warrant request despite the gravity of the case, experts agreed that this was unavoidable. Professor Lee stated, “The Criminal Act presumes non-detention as the principle. Without concerns about flight risk, possibility of reoffending, or evidence destruction, detention is not possible.”

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