Comedian Lee Kyungkyu (65), who has been booked on charges of drug-impaired driving, has been questioned by the police. During the investigation, Lee admitted to the charges, stating that it was his own carelessness to drive after taking medication for panic disorder.
The Gangnam Police Station in Seoul summoned Lee on June 24 on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act and questioned him about the circumstances of his medication intake and the situation at the time of driving. The investigation, which began at 9:00 p.m., lasted for about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Lee is accused of driving under the influence of medication in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam District, at around 2:00 p.m. on June 8. At that time, he was reported on suspicion of theft after driving another person's vehicle of the same model as his own. The police, who responded to the report, conducted alcohol and drug tests on Lee. The preliminary drug test returned a positive result. Subsequently, the National Forensic Service also reported a positive result to the police, and Lee was officially designated as a suspect.
After completing the investigation at around 10:45 p.m., Lee told reporters, "I did not fully realize that I should not drive after taking medication for panic disorder," and added, "If any of the medications you take are of that type, I would advise refraining from driving, and I will also be more careful myself."
The current Road Traffic Act prohibits driving in a state where normal driving is impaired due to the influence of drugs. Even if the medication is prescribed, driving is considered drug-impaired if there is a risk of impaired concentration or other abilities.
Regarding the fact that he drove another person's vehicle at the time of the incident, Lee explained, "I was holding my own car key, and the car door was open," adding, "The key to the vehicle I drove was also inside the car, so the engine was running."
The police plan to analyze Lee's statement before deciding on the course of action.
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