Freelance broadcaster Kim Na-jung, who posted on social media (SNS) about using drugs in the Philippines, stated her position after being transferred to the prosecution. Kim's side noted, "The police decided to transfer based solely on unilateral logic and the prosecutor's results. We express our deep regret."
Kim's attorney Kim Yeon-gi from the law firm Chungjeong expressed regret over the police's media interaction in a statement released on the 24th, stating, "The police decided to transfer based solely on unilateral logic and the prosecutor's results. We express our deep regret."
He added, "The transfer of the client to the prosecution occurred without an investigation of key witnesses. Given that the client is in a victim situation, it is rather unusual to leave direct evidence of this immediately."
Kim's side stated, "According to the results of two hair tests and other detailed examinations, it was revealed that the client had no history of drug use prior to this forced drug administration incident," adding, "Although the client was subjected to hardships such as voluntarily submitting a mobile phone and having their residence searched, no separate evidence related to the client was found."
Attorney Kim also pointed out several allegations raised online. He said, "Online communities indicate falsehoods such as 'the client habitually used drugs' and 'it is so severe that they even used a syringe,' clearly stating that these are not true." He further noted, "Despite being a victim and deserving the presumption of innocence, the client is in a very difficult situation, continuously receiving psychiatric treatment."
Kim Na-jung is accused of using drugs in the Philippines. Previously, on Nov. 12 of last year, before departing Manila, Kim posted on her SNS, "I confess that I used drugs in the Philippines," stating, "I feel like I'm going to die, so I can't take the plane."
Afterward, Kim Na-jung returned to Incheon Airport on a passenger flight from Manila, Philippines. Upon her return, she was investigated by the Incheon International Airport Police Department, and the case was transferred to the Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency, considering her place of residence. Subsequently, Kim claimed that she had been forcibly made to inhale drugs in the Philippines and submitted evidence videos to the police.
Kim's side claimed that she was forced to inhale drug smoke by a young businessman identified as Mr. A, whom she met in the Philippines. However, the police concluded that the approximately three months' worth of videos and other materials analyzed were insufficient to prove coercion. Therefore, Kim was transferred without detention on charges of violating the Act on the Control of Narcotics (methamphetamine, synthetic cannabis use). The police requested an investigation into the local businessman mentioned by Kim's side at the Korean National Police Agency's relevant department for international cases.