Comedian Lee Kyung-kyu stood before the press after completing the investigation related to the charge of driving under the influence of drugs. Photo by Yonhap News
The prosecution has referred comedian Lee Kyungkyu (65), who was booked on charges of driving after taking medication, to a summary trial.
According to the legal community on October 22, the Criminal Division 5 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Jiyeong) summarily indicted Lee the previous day for violating the Road Traffic Act, seeking a fine of 2 million won.
A summary indictment is a procedure in which, for relatively minor offenses, the court is requested to impose a fine or penalty through a written review without a formal trial.
Lee is accused of driving after taking prescription medication around 2 p.m. on June 8 in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. At the time, he was reported on suspicion of theft after driving a car that was the same model and color as his own but belonged to someone else. He tested positive in a preliminary drug screening.
After receiving a positive result from the National Forensic Service, the police summoned Lee for questioning and, in July, referred him to the prosecution without detention.
After the police investigation, Lee stated, "I was not fully aware 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 when there is a risk of being unable to drive properly. Even if the medication is prescribed, driving in a state where concentration or cognitive ability is impaired constitutes drugged driving.
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