30th Police Agency Regular Press Briefing
Review of Arrest Warrants for Former Cheongjo on 'Fraud' Charges
It has been confirmed that no additional celebrities are involved in the drug scandal triggered by actor Lee Seon-gyun (48) and G-Dragon (35, real name Kwon Ji-yong).
At a regular press briefing on the 30th, a National Police Agency official responded to a question about whether there are more celebrities under investigation related to this case by saying, "There are none." The official also added that there have been no lawsuits filed for defamation or other charges regarding rumors about other celebrities being involved.
The police have currently booked Lee, Kwon, entertainment venue manager A (29, female, detained), a doctor, and entertainment venue employees?a total of five people?on charges including drug use. Additionally, five others, including a third-generation chaebol family member, a composer, and an aspiring singer, are under preliminary investigation on suspicion of possible drug use.
The Incheon Police Agency, which is investigating the case, sent hair and urine samples from Lee to the National Forensic Service for detailed analysis to confirm whether he used drugs. A National Police Agency official explained, "It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to get results. We have requested the National Forensic Service to expedite the analysis and are currently waiting."
The official said regarding the timing of Lee’s re-summons, "It has not been decided yet." About Kwon’s summons schedule, the official added, "We are currently verifying the circumstances and details that have been detected, so it is not yet at the stage of considering a summons."
Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated, "We are conducting a swift investigation through various methods such as securing testimonies from related parties, forensic analysis of mobile phones, and search and seizure." It is understood that no search and seizure have been conducted yet on the entertainment venues suspected as drug distribution channels.
Furthermore, the police are reviewing the possibility of detaining Jeon Cheong-jo (27), who was known as the remarriage partner of former national fencing athlete Nam Hyun-hee (42), in connection with multiple lawsuits filed against Jeon for fraud and other charges. The police also plan to investigate the possibility of Nam being an accomplice in the fraud charges. Currently, the police have received two complaints and accusations and one petition related to fraud and attempted fraud involving Jeon, and the Songpa Police Station in Seoul is investigating the case.
Commissioner Yoon explained, "Many citizens have raised various questions regarding Jeon. The decision to consolidate the investigation at the Songpa Police Station was made to comprehensively assess the gravity of the case and to allow the National Investigation Headquarters to review the matter of detention accordingly."
However, the police are reportedly not conducting a separate investigation into the charge of aiding and abetting related to the death of a coach at the fencing academy operated by Nam, who was suspected of sexual assault. A National Police Agency official said, "Charges of aiding and abetting secondary harm could be subject to defamation laws, so additional punishment or a complaint from the victim is necessary. There are no specific punishment provisions for simple aiding and abetting."
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