South Korean prosecutors have sought a three-year prison sentence for a prosecution investigator accused of leaking confidential information related to the late actor Lee Sun-kyun’s drug investigation to the press.
During a closing hearing held on June 12 at the Incheon District Court, prosecutors asked the court to sentence an investigator identified only as “A,” who worked for the Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office, to three years in prison on charges including the disclosure of official secrets.
According to prosecutors, the defendant claimed that the information was obtained through rumors rather than through official duties. However, they argued that this explanation contradicted statements given by colleagues who worked with him at the time.
The prosecution further alleged that A attempted to destroy evidence during the investigation by deleting data related to his mobile phone. Prosecutors also stated that the defendant continued to provide explanations in court that were difficult to accept.
In addition, they claimed that A encouraged a witness to provide false testimony, later changed his own statements, and even made remarks mocking officials from another investigative agency. Prosecutors argued that these actions warranted a severe punishment.
The defense rejected the allegations, arguing that A was not in a position to directly access official investigation records. According to his legal team, he merely relayed information he had heard from a fellow investigator and did not recognize the information as an official government secret subject to confidentiality protections.
During his final statement to the court, A expressed regret over his actions. “I think I took the discussion about a celebrity too lightly,” he said. He added: “I deeply regret acting carelessly as a public official and apologize for causing controversy.”
Prosecutors allege that in October 2023, A twice provided a local journalist with information indicating that Lee Sun-kyun was under police investigation for alleged drug use, along with details regarding the progress of the inquiry. Shortly afterward, a regional media outlet published an article titled, “Top Star Mr. L Under Internal Investigation for Drug Allegations,” becoming the first outlet to report the case publicly. Authorities said the leaked material included personal information related to individuals connected to the investigation. The information was subsequently reported by additional entertainment media outlets.
Lee Sun-kyun, best known internationally for his role in the Academy Award-winning film Parasite, became the subject of a police investigation in October 2023 over alleged drug use. The actor underwent three rounds of police questioning before being found dead near Waryong Park in Seoul’s Jongno District in December 2023. The case sparked widespread debate in South Korea regarding investigative secrecy, media reporting practices, and the treatment of public figures under criminal investigation.
The sentencing hearing for the investigator is scheduled to take place on August 21.
Sources: Daum | 일간스포츠
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