Response from Broadcasting Commissioner to Lawmaker Kim Young-sik's Question at National Audit
"Return after Self-Restraint with Million-Won Appearance Fees" Criticism
Lee Dong-kwan, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, announced that he is considering a plan to ban celebrities punished for drug charges from appearing on all broadcasting programs.
Chairman Lee made this statement on the afternoon of the 26th during the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit, responding to a question from Kim Young-sik, a member of the People Power Party.
Lee Dong-kwan, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, is reporting on his duties at the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Rep. Kim said, "Following Yoo Ah-in (Um Hong-sik), Lee Sun-kyun and G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong) are also under police investigation for drug charges, causing significant social repercussions," and pointed out, "Drug offenders take a brief hiatus and then return to broadcasting with million-won appearance fees."
Rep. Kim also referred to Article 5, Paragraph 4 of the Broadcasting Act, which states that "broadcasting must not promote criminal or immoral acts or gambling," and said, "There are arguments that banning celebrities accused of drug charges infringes on freedom of occupational choice, but the government needs to consider this in relation to the public responsibility of broadcasting."
Currently, there are no mandatory regulations regarding suspension of appearances in the Broadcasting Act or Broadcasting Deliberation Regulations. Terrestrial broadcasters such as KBS, MBC, and SBS decide on suspending appearances of celebrities punished for crimes like drug offenses through their own review processes. However, there is a tendency for these celebrities to return to broadcasting after a certain period.
Rep. Kim stated, "Although there are claims that banning drug offenders from appearing on broadcasts infringes on freedom of occupational choice, this issue is closely related to the public responsibility of broadcasting, so government-level consideration is necessary." He added, "Please devise and report measures regarding the broadcasting appearances of drug offenders."
Chairman Lee said, "Currently, KBS, MBC, and others handle this through their own internal regulations, but we will review and implement a generalizable plan."
The police launched an investigation after receiving intelligence that drugs were being distributed at a so-called 'membership-only room salon' in Gangnam, Seoul. The Incheon Police Agency's Narcotics Crime Investigation Division arrested A (29, female), an employee of the entertainment establishment, on charges related to psychotropic substances, and booked actor Lee Sun-kyun on charges related to marijuana and psychotropic substances under the Narcotics Control Act. Lee is suspected of using various drugs, including marijuana, at A's residence since early this year. A is also accused of extorting 350 million won from Lee (blackmail).
Another entertainment establishment employee, B, has been booked, and five others, including a third-generation chaebol family member, a composer, and an aspiring singer, are under preliminary investigation. The police have also booked singer G-Dragon on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act and are investigating. The police stated, "Kwon is unrelated to Lee's drug use case and this is a separate matter."
In this regard, the police have booked Dr. A without detention on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act and are investigating. It is reported that Dr. A provided drugs to Lee and Kwon without receiving separate compensation. The number of individuals under investigation for drug charges has increased from 8 to 10.
On the 27th, G-Dragon issued a statement through his lawyer, claiming, "I have not used drugs."
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