Suspected of Driving After Taking Medication
Comedian Kyungkyu Lee (65) has been referred to the prosecution without detention on charges of drugged driving.
The Gangnam Police Station in Seoul announced on July 2 that Lee was referred to the prosecution without detention on suspicion of drugged driving (violation of the Road Traffic Act).
Lee is suspected of driving a car in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu at around 2 p.m. on June 8 after taking prescribed medication.
At the time, he was reported on suspicion of theft after driving a car that was the same model and color as someone else's vehicle, and he tested positive in a preliminary drug reagent test.
Comedian Kyungkyu Lee stands in front of reporters after completing an investigation related to drugged driving at Gangnam Police Station in Seoul on the 24th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News
After receiving a positive result from the National Forensic Service, the police summoned Lee as a suspect for questioning on June 24.
After completing the investigation, Lee admitted to the charges and apologized to reporters, saying, "I did not fully realize that I should not drive after taking medication for panic disorder."
Article 45 of the Road Traffic Act prohibits driving under the influence of drugs if it may impair normal driving ability. Even if the medication is prescribed, driving in a state where concentration or cognitive ability is impaired constitutes drugged driving.
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