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Yoo Ah-in returns home after 21-hour investigation on drug charges
Yoo Ah-in was released from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Drug Crime Investigation Unit at 6:26 am on the 17th. This is approximately 21 hours after appearing for the second summons and investigation at 9 a.m. on the 16th.
Yoo Ah-in, who appeared with a haggard face, responded to the reporter's question, "What did you explain in the investigation?" by saying, "I said what I could. I apologize for causing any inconvenience." Next, “Do you admit to the charge of taking drugs such as cocaine?” He remained silent when asked additional questions and then left.
Yoo Ah-in is suspected of taking drugs such as propofol, marijuana, cocaine, ketamine, and zolpidem. 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. Additionally, while examining medical records, the police belatedly discovered that zolpidem had been over-prescribed.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's drug crime investigation team summoned Yoo Ah-in as a suspect in violation of the Narcotics Control Act and questioned him about the type and number of drugs he had taken, the purchase route, and whether he was an accomplice. Choi, a writer who graduated from art school and an acquaintance of Yoo Ah-in, was also summoned and questioned by the police.
Mr. Choi was a reference at the beginning of the investigation, but his status was changed to a suspect when it was confirmed that he helped Yoo Ah-in administer drugs or administered the drugs himself. Mr. Choi was the person who entered the country with Yoo Ah-in when he entered the country after completing his trip to the United States on February 5th. He is known as Yoo Ah-in's closest associate. The police believe that Choi took drugs with Yoo Ah-in or prescribed zolpidem for him.
Yoo Ah-in responded to the second summons about two months after receiving the first investigation on March 27. Initially, Yoo Ah-in's second summons and investigation were scheduled to be held on May 11. However, Yoo Ah-in came all the way to the front of the government building and then turned back. Yoo Ah-in's legal representative said, "Mr. Eom Hong-sik wanted to participate in the investigation even in a situation where the attendance schedule was already made public, and the lawyer responded that even if the situation where the schedule had already been made public was unavoidable, he would not enter or leave through another route to comply with the principle of private summons." “We requested that possible measures be taken, but the police did not accept this,” he said.
At a regular meeting held on May 15, the head of the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency said, "The person under investigation (Yoo Ah-in) is reacting sensitively to the date of summons. It would be better to adjust the date of appearance as quickly as possible and be investigated, but if that is not possible, do so (apply for a warrant). “We will have to review it,” he said. One day after the police said they were considering an arrest warrant, Yoo Ah-in appeared for the second investigation, saying, "I will conduct a sincere investigation."
Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr
