Hwang Unha: "Exaggerating Drug Risks to Justify Expanding Prosecutorial Investigation Powers Is Problematic"

"Police Are Doing Well in Drug Investigations"

Former police officer and Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Un-ha, who sparked controversy with his remark that "drug use has only increased fivefold in five years," recently commented on drug cases involving famous celebrities, stating, "The police are doing their job well as always," and argued, "The problem lies with those who exaggerate the dangers of drugs to use it as a pretext for expanding prosecutorial investigation powers."

On the 27th, Hwang said on his social media (SNS), "Even without the president and the Minister of Justice declaring a war on drugs, the police are doing their job properly as always."

Hwang Unha, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference on the 3rd at the National Assembly to file a defamation lawsuit for false statements against Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and Kim Ki-hyun and Kwon Seong-dong of the People Power Party. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He added, "The problem is with those who inflate statistics or use meaningless statistical figures to exaggerate the dangers of drugs, exploiting this for political diversion or to expand prosecutorial investigation powers," calling them "people who think the public are fools."

Regarding recent drug allegations involving actor Lee Sun-kyun and singer G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong), he said, "Drug cases involving celebrities and third-generation chaebols tend to resurface whenever they are about to be forgotten," mentioning that 22 years ago, when he was the head of the criminal division at Yongsan Police Station, he investigated drug allegations against singer Psy.

Hwang stated, "At that time, we investigated singer Psy, who was a strong candidate for the Rookie of the Year award, on drug charges, and Psy admitted to the allegations and was legally dealt with," adding, "Back then, Yongsan Police Station conducted extensive drug investigations, including cases involving celebrities, and targeted clubs around Itaewon and Hongdae, working overnight and achieving significant investigative results."

He emphasized, "The current celebrity drug case is being handled by the Incheon Police Agency. The police are working diligently today with dedication and passion to make South Korea a drug-free country."

Hwang sparked controversy last year after stating on MBC Radio that the president's declaration of a "war on drugs" was based on a "mere fivefold increase over five years."