Business mogul's relatives implicated in Gangnam drug scandal

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Business mogul's relatives implicated in Gangnam drug scandal

Published: 03 Nov. 2023, 17:16 Updated: 21 Dec. 2023, 13:49

Actor Lee Sun-kyun, who played a leading role in the Oscar-winnning film, ″Parasite″ appears in front of Incheon's plice on Oct. 4 to be questioned on drug abuse committed at an excludive bar in Gangnam. [YONHAP]

An investigation into illegal drug abuse involving high-profile celebrities at an exclusive bar in Gangnam is expanding to the descendants of Korea’s leading business moguls.

Police summoned a 26-year-old employee of Playground, the upscale Gangnam bar, on Friday. The employee was questioned about alleged meth use by a third-generation scion of a Korean conglomerate and her relations.

The scion is one of five individuals who are tied up in the official investigation, which began when 48-year-old actor Lee Sun-Kyun, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” was hit with accusations of drug use at the bar.

Lee is accused of abusing the substances, in the company of a 29-year-old bar employee named Kim, on multiple occasions and in multiple locations — including Kim's apartment.

G-Dragon, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, and who was previously leader of popular K-pop band Big Bang, is also implicated in the investigation.

Lee initially met the Incheon police on Oct. 4 and tested negative in a preliminary drug test.

The actor refused to answer questions, police said.

Officials have since sent samples of Lee's hair and urine to the forensic service for a more comprehensive analysis, a process that could take anywhere from 10 days to a month.

G-Dragon is scheduled to be questioned for the first time on Monday.

Police previously investigated the K-pop artist for cannabis use in October 2011.

The singer said that he'd mistaken the cannabis, which had been offered to him at a club in Japan, for a cigarette.

The case was initially referred to the prosecutors' office, but was deferred.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]