[1/5]G-dragon of Okay-pop group BIGBANG arrives at a police station to look for questioning relating to his alleged unlawful drug use in Incheon, South Korea, November 6, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji Acquire Licensing Rights
INCHEON, South Korea, Nov 6 (Reuters) – The previous entrance man for the Okay-pop band BIGBANG, often called G-Dragon, appeared at a police station for questioning on Monday over allegations of unlawful drug use, the newest in a string of South Korean artists embroiled in high-profile narcotics circumstances.
The investigation in opposition to the singer and rapper, whose given title is Kwon Ji-yong, comes amid an ongoing crackdown on unlawful medication by the federal government of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol.
After the allegations surfaced in late October, shares of some Okay-pop businesses fell, together with Kwon’s former agent YG Leisure (122870.KQ), although they’ve since rebounded.
Leaving the police station after 4 hours of questioning, Kwon, 35, denied the allegations and mentioned a drug check taken throughout questioning got here again unfavourable. He mentioned he was cooperating with the police investigation.
As he arrived for questioning earlier, Kwon, who was wearing a darkish go well with, mentioned: “There isn’t a reality to (the accusation of) unlawful drug-related crime.”
The police station in Incheon was the identical location the place the star of the Oscar-winning movie “Parasite”, Lee Solar-kyun, was individually additionally questioned over the weekend over an allegation of unlawful drug use.
Lee declined to remark as he left the police station on Saturday, solely saying he had answered all of the questions requested by police to the very best of his data.
A collection of arrests on drug costs in latest months, together with of chaebol heirs and celebrities, has prompted authorities to tighten a crackdown on narcotics and customs inspections.
South Korea has robust drug legal guidelines, and crimes are sometimes punishable by not less than six months in jail or as much as 14 years for repeat offenders and sellers.
Social media and overseas journey have made unlawful medication extra accessible, drug rehab advocates say.
Kwon isn’t the primary member of BIGBANG to face legal costs.
In 2017, T.O.P., whose authorized title is Choi Seung-hyun, obtained a suspended 10-month jail sentence for marijuana use, after he pleaded responsible and sought leniency to keep away from a jail time period.
Seungri, whose actual title is Lee Seung-hyun, was convicted in 2021 of collusion in a tax evasion, bribery and prostitution scheme and served an 18-month jail sentence.
BIGBANG dominated the Okay-pop scene after their debut in 2006. Kwon and 4 different former and present members have pursued solo careers.
Reporting by Dogyun Kim, Jimin Jung and Jack Kim; Enhancing by Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle and Bernadette Baum
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