On Thursday, the chief of the district police department that looked into South Korean star Lee Sun-kyun’s alleged use of illegal drugs justified the rigorous interrogation of the actor prior to his death.
Chief of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Kim Hui-jung stated at a press conference that Lee’s approval was obtained for the entire procedure. He sent his family his sympathies and conveyed his “deep regret” over his passing.
Lee, 48, passed away on Wednesday. He portrayed the affluent patriarch in the Oscar-winning movie “Parasite.“
Following his passing, the public and the film industry expressed their condolences, but there were also concerns about the probe’s perceived harshness and public character, which fueled media coverage that delved into Lee’s personal life.
Kim claimed that Lee’s lawyer was present during the three appearances he was questioned about, which included an all-night interrogation session to get his side of the story.
“The investigation of the deceased was conducted based on specific reports, testimony and evidence and under legally prescribed procedures,” he stated.
Prior to his passing, local news sources reported that Lee had denied knowing he took illegal substances and claimed he was duped into doing so by a bar hostess who was attempting to blackmail him.
Since October, he has appeared before police three times in front of large crowds; the most recent appearance took place over the course of 19 hours on Christmas Eve.
He said he was completely participating with the investigation but declined to respond to queries from reporters regarding the charges against him.
He was reported missing and later discovered dead in a car in a Seoul park.
One of the people who criticized police tactics and the dramatic media coverage of the case was former South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who practiced human rights law before joining politics.
“The practice that does huge damage to someone’s honour and character, such as excessively putting them at a media photoline, and pushes them to take the extreme choice must now end,” Moon wrote on her Facebook page.
Colleagues in the film business, such as Bong Joon-ho (director of “Parasite”) and Lee Jung-jae (actor of the Netflix series “Squid Game”), paid homage to Lee at his wake.
K-pop singer G-Dragon was previously questioned by Incheon police on suspicion of using illegal drugs, but the matter was dismissed before he was charged.
The investigation is a part of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s crackdown, which he has referred to as a “war on drugs.”
The nation’s strict drug laws, which punish anyone found guilty of both drug abuse and drug dealing with up to 14 years in prison, have resulted in a number of high-profile arrests, including celebrities and the heirs of business conglomerates.
