Police deny wrongdoing after 'Parasite' actor Lee Sun-hyun's suicide

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Police deny wrongdoing after 'Parasite' actor Lee Sun-hyun's suicide

Published: 28 Dec. 2023, 18:32

OScar-winning film, Parasite, actor Lee Suk-kyun, who was investigated for drug use, being questioned by reporters while entering the Incheon police station for questioning on Dec. 23. [YONHAP]

The police expressed condolences for the death of Lee Sun-kyun, the 48-year-old Oscar-winning actor from the film “Parasite,” but insisted their investigation into his alleged drug use followed legal protocols.

“I cannot agree to claims that the outcome resulted from a flawed police investigation,” National Police Agency Commissioner-General Yoon Hee-keun said at a promotion ceremony at Cheongwon Police Station in North Chungcheong on Thursday.

“If there are issues in investigation practices or in the protocols for informing the public about an investigation, we will take this opportunity to make necessary improvements,” Yoon said.

However, the nation's top police officer said the public would not have accepted a closed-door investigation.

After Lee's death, local media outlets reported that the actor asked that his third visit to the police station for questioning be kept undisclosed to the public.

However, the police declined his request.

Consequently, the actor appeared before journalists when entering the police station for the third time since his initial summoning on Oct. 28.

“I admired Lee as an actor,” the police commissioner-general remarked. “I was surprised and find the situation unfortunate.”

Kim Hee-joong, commissioner of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, emphasized that no violations were committed during the investigation.

Incheon police are overseeing the investigation into the use and distribution of drugs at the Gangnam bar “Good Place,” in which Lee was allegedly involved.

Kim said the police accommodated the actor as much as possible.

“I find it regrettable that the deceased has passed away,” Kim expressed. “I extend my deepest condolences to the surviving family.”

The Incheon police commissioner, however, denied wrongdoing in investigating the actor.

“We followed legal procedures based on specific tip-offs and evidence,” Kim said.

He said that no undue pressure was applied to the actor during the investigation and that the police attempted to accommodate Lee's requests.

“During the initial summons on Oct. 28, we refrained from conducting a specific investigation after the deceased mentioned he would provide a statement in the next session,” Kim said.

“Following the second questioning on Nov. 4, it became apparent that further investigation was necessary, leading to the third questioning on Dec. 23.”

The head of the Incheon police said the questioning on Dec. 23 lasted for 19 hours because Lee asked authorities to inquire about both the drug use allegations against him and the accusations of blackmail.

“We accommodated the deceased’s request to provide a comprehensive statement,” Kim said. “The investigation, which continued late into the night, was conducted with the deceased's agreement and in the presence of his lawyer.”

The Incheon police commissioner said they also followed legal procedures when confiscating the actor’s phone and vehicle, ensuring Lee's lawyer was present, and recording Lee's statements.

“The police did not force [Lee] to show up for questioning in public, as some have claimed, and there were no leaks regarding the investigation,” he added.

He said investigators strictly followed the rules for informing the public about an investigation without violating human rights.

National Police Agency Commissioner-General Yoon Hee-keun enters the Cheongwon Police Station in North Chungcheong on Thursday to attend a promotion ceremony. [YONHAP]

Police and the media have come under public fire after Lee was found dead in his parked SUV near Waryong Park in Jongno, Seoul, on Wednesday morning. The authorities believe Lee took his own life.

Critics say the police conducted an excessive investigation, accusing them of forcing the actor to appear before reporters prior to questioning.

Broadcaster KBS and YouTube channel HoverLab face criticism for releasing a recording of personal phone conversations between Lee and a 29-year-old woman who worked at Good Place, identified only as Kim, with whom he reportedly used drugs.

Kim, the bar employee, is under investigation for her alleged involvement in extorting 350 million won ($271,000) from the actor through blackmail.

The late actor had been under police investigation for alleged drug use since October.

Despite a negative drug test, Lee admitted to taking drugs, including ketamine, not only at the Gangnam bar but also at the residence of the bar employee.

However, the actor reportedly claimed the bar employee told him the substance he snorted was a sedative.

Lee's funeral will take place at Seoul National University Hospital, with his burial conducted in Buan County, South Jeolla.

He is survived by his wife and two sons.

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