It is expected that the police will not be able to avoid criticism once again following the report that the leg hair of actor Lee Sun-gyun (48) was found to be 'unidentifiable.'
According to the police and multiple media outlets on the 14th, the drug crime investigation unit of the Incheon Police Agency secured Lee Seon-gyun's body hair, including leg hair, during the first investigation on the 28th of last month and requested a detailed examination from the National Institute of Forensic Science.
On the 3rd, about a week later, the National Forensic Service issued a 'negative' analysis of Lee Seon-kyun's hair and concluded that he had not used drugs for at least 10 months. Subsequently, in response to reports that the National Forensic Service recently determined that Lee Seon-kyun's leg hair was 'unable to be identified as a narcotic,' it was confirmed that the National Forensic Service recently released a decision that 'unable to be analyzed' for Lee's leg hair.
The exact reason for the decision has not been disclosed, but the police are said to be weighing the possibility that the amount of hair collected was not sufficient and are considering a plan to request a re-evaluation after additional collection. However, as the police's security failures and lax investigation are being criticized every day, many people's attention is focused on whether the court will once again issue a search and seizure warrant for Lee Sun-kyun.
Looking at this investigation process, it appears that the police investigation process is somewhat hasty. The grounds for pointing out that it was an 'unreasonable investigation' are ▲ the fact that the facts of the investigation were made public through the media during the internal investigation stage, ▲ the fact that the only evidence secured was the statements of some of the people involved, ▲ the progress of preliminary measures such as a ban on leaving the country.
First, the fact that both Lee Sun-kyun and G-Dragon were involved in the internal investigation was made known through the media. This can be seen as a clear police mistake. Regardless of the exposure route, thorough security was not maintained in relation to the matter that was under internal investigation. There was even talk that this matter was prematurely made public to the outside world due to a jurisdictional dispute within the police. As a result, it was exposed to the media during the internal investigation stage and the issue grew.
Second, the only evidence secured was the statements of some people involved. It appears that the police actually proceeded with the case based only on the relevant evidence. Regarding the indictment of Lee Sun-kyun and G-Dragon, the police also acknowledged that it was "correct" to point out that they had started the investigation based only on statements without clear physical evidence. He said, “Drug crime investigations are based on not only the National Forensic Service’s analysis results, but also the statements of those involved and forensic data to determine whether there are any charges.”
In addition, the fact that Lee Sun-kyun and G-Dragon were banned from leaving the country is also considered a problem. This is because there is a lot of room for interpretation to mean that sufficient evidence related to the charges has been secured based on that fact alone. The police can protest that it is a natural investigative procedure, but it is true that the matter itself has been seen as serious as the withdrawal action itself became known to the outside world.
The police investigation into Lee Sun-kyun is ongoing. Lee Seon-gyun, who had not spoken about the allegations until now, made a statement during the second police summons on the 4th that he gave it to Mr. A, saying it was medication he had been prescribed for insomnia, and the police asked, "Did you not know it was a drug?" A close associate reported that he answered 'I don't know' when asked.
Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr