Actor Yoo Ah-in (real name Um Hong-sik), who is suspected of habitual drug use, has been summoned to the police as a suspect and is being investigated, and the police are considering an application for an arrest warrant.
At around 9:20 am on the 27th, I attended the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Drug Crime Investigation Unit. He entered the government building in silence.
At a regular press conference on this day, the police said, "We will comprehensively review whether individual charges are established, including the arrest warrant. We will comprehensively review the number of charges and prior convictions to make a decision."
Doctor A, who prescribed the narcotic propofol to Yoo Ah-in, explained, "We are reviewing whether it was prescribed for purposes other than treatment," and "We are looking into whether any information (related to prescription) is missing."
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.
Originally, Yoo Ah-in was scheduled to appear at the police for questioning on March 24th, but the schedule for his appearance was revealed to the media, so he requested a postponement. Yoo Ah-in's lawyer, Law Office Infinity, said, "The police notified the lawyer that Mr. Eom Hong-sik's summons was a private summons, and regardless of whether notice was given, according to the 'Rules on public information about police investigation cases, etc.', the principle is that the summons of a suspect is kept private. "He said, "Mr. Um Hong-sik's appearance has in fact been a public summons, and it is clear that this violates the relevant laws and regulations. Therefore, as a lawyer, I have inevitably requested the police to adjust the date of appearance."
Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr