Experts Raised Concerns Over Privacy During Police Investigation After Lee Sun Kyun’s Passing
Lee Sun Kyun was found dead on the morning of December 27 (KST) in a car in a public parking lot of Seongbuk District, Seoul. Police reported signs of a suicide attempt at the scene. The death of the famous Korean star has raised questions about how publicized police investigations into his alleged drug use was.
Before deciding to take negative actions, Lee Sun Kyun was investigated by the police for using illegal drugs. He has undergone three rounds of police interrogation since October. After denying the previous accusations, the actor admitted to using drugs during the third interrogation. Lee Sun Kyun claimed that he was deceived and affirmed that he did not know the nature of the drugs he used. Previously, Lee Sun Kyun tested negative in two simple reagent drug test and a laboratory drug test conducted by the National Forensic Service.
After Lee Sun Kyun’s passing was confirmed by the authorities, a discussion took place in Korea, on both online forums and social networks. Experts are raising questions about the police’s handling of information during the investigation.
Lee Soo Jung, a professor of forensic psychology at Kyonggi University, commented, “Even though the charge was drug use, further information such as private conversations between Lee and the hostess were reportedly exposed by the media to the public.”
Kim Sang Gyun, a professor of the Division of Police Science at Baekseok University, also emphasized, “Being a famous actor, the mere appearance in a police investigation can impose immense psychological pressure.” “There are possibilities of indiscriminate disclosure and encroachment on the privacy of public figures,” Kim added, regarding the fact that Lee Sun Kyun officially requested a closed interrogation in the third round of investigation but was refused by the police.
Professor Kim explained the importance of investigating drug cases, emphasizing that they often involve forms of organized crime rather than individual incidents. He said, “It would be inappropriate for this incident to lead to a diminishing focus on drug investigations. However, what we should learn from this incident is that improvement is needed in areas such as safeguarding the rights of suspects and addressing media indiscriminately disclosing information during police investigations.”
Source: The Korea Times
