[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Following the previous day's buzz over the return of broadcaster Amy, it has been confirmed that singer Wheesung (real name Choi Wheesung, 39), known as Amy's soulmate, is currently on trial for habitual use of the psychotropic anesthetic propofol.
According to the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office on the 21st, Wheesung was indicted without detention on August 31 last year on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act (psychotropic substances) along with an acquaintance, and had his first trial at the Andong branch of the Daegu District Court on the 19th.
Wheesung is accused of having used propofol multiple times around December 2019. During an investigation into drug-related intelligence, the police detected evidence that Wheesung had purchased propofol and forwarded the case to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment in April last year.
As the defense proceedings concluded on this day, it is presumed that Wheesung and his acquaintance admitted to all charges. The sentencing date is set for March 9.
Meanwhile, Wheesung was also investigated by prosecutors in 2013 for habitual use of propofol, a type of anesthetic, but was cleared as it was recognized to be for medical treatment purposes. However, Amy stirred controversy by revealing on social media that she had "always used propofol together with soulmate A (Wheesung)," raising suspicions that past propofol charges had been concealed.
In March last year, Wheesung was found collapsed in a restroom of a building in Songpa-gu, Seoul, due to propofol use, and in April, he was caught again in a restroom of a commercial building in Gwangjin-gu. It was reported that a bottle of "etomidate" was found at the scene. Etomidate is a general anesthetic used to induce unconsciousness and relaxation before or during surgery. Since it is not classified as a narcotic, no criminal charges were filed, but it drew criticism from netizens.
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