Actor Lee Sun-kyun stays mum during police questioning over drugs

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Actor Lee Sun-kyun stays mum during police questioning over drugs

Published: 29 Oct. 2023, 20:07 Updated: 21 Dec. 2023, 13:50

YIM SEUNG-HYE
yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr

Actor Lee Sun-kyun walks out of the police precinct in Incheon an hour after he was being questioned on drug abuse on Saturday. [YONHAP]

Actor Lee Sun-kyun was released an hour after the police questioned him about alleged illegal drug use Saturday.

Lee refused to talk and tested negative in a simple reagent drug test.

However, the police have taken samples of Lee’s urine and hair to be sent to the National Forensic Service for more accurate analysis.

The test results are expected to come out a month later.

According to Incheon Police Agency, which is leading the investigation, the brief reagent test was done by taking a sample of Lee's urine.

A simple reagent test can reliably detect whether a suspect took drugs within the last five to 10 days. However, the test is less likely to detect drugs taken before that.

More than a week has passed since news emerged that Lee was under police investigation.

The police said they also confiscated Lee’s smartphone for forensics analysis.

Although Lee reportedly did not deny the allegations made against him, he did not answer the police's questions.

The actor’s lawyer told reporters that the police only conducted the reagent drug test and that the actor would disclose specific details in the following investigations.

“I have responded accordingly to the requests for future investigations,” Lee told reporters after he walked out of the police station. “I will engage with sincerity in the next investigation,” he added. “I once again apologize.”

He did not answer reporters' questions about his lawsuit against a 29-year-old bar worker who attempted to blackmail him about his drug habits. The woman reportedly used drugs with the actor at the exclusive bar where she works.

“I am very sorry for disappointing all of you who had supported me,” Lee said before jumping into a vehicle and driving away.

The 48-year-old actor, who starred in 2019's Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” is suspected of using marijuana and psychotropic drugs in violation of the Narcotics Control Act.

When he first appeared at the police station on Saturday, he apologized for “being involved in such an unpleasant issue and causing great disappointment to many.”

Lee also apologized to his family for having to endure such pain.

However, before walking into the police precinct for questioning, he told reporters that he would diligently comply with the investigation.

Kwon Ji-yong, better known as G-Dragon from the popular boy band Big Bang, is accused of doing drugs in the same bar as Lee.

Unlike Lee, Kwon has denied the accusations against him.

The Justice Ministry on Friday banned both Lee and Kwon from leaving the country.

Rumors are circulating that two members of the globally renowned group BTS also frequented the exclusive bar.

The band's agency, HYBE, has denied the rumors.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE, LIM JEONG-WON [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]