On the afternoon of the 10th, singer Wheesung (43, real name Choi Wheesung) was found dead at his home in the Gwangjin District of Seoul, and it was reported on the 11th that a syringe was discovered near the body.
The National Forensic Service (NFS), which is scheduled to conduct an autopsy on Choi's body on the morning of the 12th, plans to investigate the exact cause of death, including whether he had ingested drugs and if the substances were narcotics. So far, there have been no signs of forced entry or indications of homicide.
A police official noted, "I cannot disclose anything about the ongoing investigation."
Choi was indicted in 2019 for allegedly using the psychoactive sleep anesthetic propofol from September to November, and his sentence of one year in prison with a two-year probation was confirmed in an appeal in 2021.
In 2020, he was also found collapsed after receiving the anesthetic etomidate. Etomidate is known to have effects similar to those of propofol.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced last month on the 28th that it is legislating a revision of the enforcement ordinance of the Narcotics Control Act to newly designate seven substances, including etomidate, as narcotics or psychoactive drugs.
Wheesung was scheduled to hold a joint concert titled "The Story" with singer KCM at the Daegu EXCO Auditorium on the 15th.