Actor Yoo Ah-in (real name Uhm Hong-sik), who is suspected of habitual drug use, underwent a 12-hour police investigation. The police plan to consider whether to arrest him.
Yoo Ah-in attended the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Drug Crime Investigation Unit in Mapo-gu, Seoul at around 9:20 am on the 27th and was interrogated by the police for 12 hours as a suspect.
Yoo Ah-in, who left the office with a haggard face after completing the investigation, was asked whether he admitted to the charge of taking four types of drugs, and answered, "I told you all the facts that I could reveal." He continued, "I deeply reflect on the fact that I am standing in this position due to an unpleasant incident and have caused great disappointment to many people who have loved me. I am sorry."
When asked, 'What kind of questions were you asked during the police investigation?' Yoo Ah-in responded, "I was asked questions related to the circumstances of the incident that became known through the media. I gave my position as truthfully as I could. Since the investigation is not yet over, I am responsible for the details. “I’m cautious about telling them directly,” he said. He continued, “Personally, I think I was mired in the wrong swamp of self-justification by claiming that my deviant actions did not harm anyone.”
Yoo Ah-in said, “I am sorry for the delay in expressing my position. It may be very uncomfortable to see me like this, but I want to use these moments as an opportunity to live healthy moments that I have not been able to live before. Disappointment.” “I’m really sorry for that,” he said.
Yoo Ah-in appeared in public about 50 days after being accused of drug use and apologized early last month. However, he did not clearly state his position on the drug use charges.
The police plan to comprehensively review the exact number and circumstances of Yoo Ah-in's drug use, as well as the details of the investigation that day, to decide whether to apply for an arrest warrant. Yoo Ah-in has prepared for the investigation by forming a defense team that includes a lawyer who was a former head of the drug department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and a lawyer who worked at Kim & Chang, Korea's largest law firm.
Yoo Ah-in was originally scheduled to appear at the police station on the 24th, but the attendance schedule was postponed. Yoo Ah-in's lawyer, Law Firm Infinity, said that the investigation schedule was reported in the media and was in fact a public summons, and requested a postponement of the investigation schedule on the grounds that "according to the 'Rules on public information about police investigation cases, etc.,' the principle is that the summons of suspects shall be kept private." The investigation was conducted that day.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety requested the police to investigate, saying that Yoo Ah-in administered 4,497 mL of propofol 73 times from January 4, 2021 to December 23, 2021. On February 5, the police executed a search and seizure warrant for Yoo Ah-in's body at Incheon International Airport and conducted a quick urine test. As a result of the National Institute of Forensic Science analysis, three types of narcotic substances were detected in Yoo Ah-in's hair.
Propofol, which was suspected of habitual use, as well as marijuana, which tested positive in urine, and another third drug were detected. The third drug ingredients were cocaine and ketamine. Cocaine is highly addictive and hallucinogenic, so it is called one of the three major drugs along with methamphetamine and heroin. In addition, it was confirmed that medical staff were concerned about the frequent administration of propofol in several hospitals.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Drug Crime Investigation Unit sent investigators to two locations to conduct search and seizure: Yoo Ah-in's home in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where he actually resides, and his home in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, which is his address on his resident registration. Additionally, the manager and acquaintances who were with Yoo Ah-in at the airport when he entered the country were summoned for questioning as witnesses.
Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr