"Lend" Lee Kyung-kyu, accused of drug driving... "I acknowledge my negligence and will be more careful in the future."
Lee Kyung-kyu, a broadcaster known as a 'no accident celebrity' for 44 years, has directly addressed the allegations of drug driving. Despite his apology acknowledging his negligence and promising to be cautious, interest is focused on whether this incident will remain a blemish on the 'lend' or conclude as a mere happening.
On the 24th, the Seoul Gangnam Police Station formally registered Lee Kyung-kyu for violating the Road Traffic Act and stated that an inquiry is currently underway. Public interest is focused on the situation.
This incident stemmed from a case of mistaken vehicle driving that occurred at a golf driving range in Gangnam, Seoul, on the 8th. At the time, Lee Kyung-kyu had entrusted his imported car to valet parking, but due to a mistake by the parking attendant, he received another person's vehicle of the same model and drove it to his office. Noticing suspiciously that his bag was not in the vehicle, Lee Kyung-kyu immediately returned to the building, but police were dispatched to the scene following a report of theft suspicion from the vehicle's owner.
The problem arose next. A positive result was found in the drug screening test conducted by police. Consequently, the police converted the case into a formal investigation and requested a detailed examination from the National Forensic Service. As the controversy spread, Lee Kyung-kyu belatedly made clarifications through an interview with a media outlet and an official statement. He explained, "The positive result in the police investigation came from the panic disorder medication and cold medicine I was taking," and added, "I heard that the components of the medication I have been taking for over 10 years affected the screening test." There is also a record of him having been prescribed cold and body ache medicine at a pharmacy in the building on the day of the incident.
However, the police maintain a principled stance that even if it is a normally prescribed medication, if cognitive ability or concentration is impaired to the extent that normal driving is difficult, it could fall under drug driving according to the Road Traffic Act. This is because Article 45 of the Road Traffic Act clearly prohibits driving in a state unable to drive normally due to the influence of drugs.
Lee Kyung-kyu ultimately acknowledged his negligence. On the night of the 24th, he stated through various media, "I did not fully recognize that I should not drive while taking panic disorder medication when I was feeling unwell," and added, "In the future, I will exercise greater caution regarding whether to take medication before driving." His attorney, who was present, also stated through a statement, "Lee Kyung-kyu had taken prescribed medication the day before the incident and drove himself because he was unwell and needed to go to the hospital," and remarked that it was a "negligent judgment with no room for excuses."
Lee Kyung-kyu has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for over 40 years since debuting in the 1981 KBS Comedy Contest. Given that he has carried out his activities without any significant controversy until now, this recent issue has come as a shock to the public. In particular, he recently revealed health issues such as high blood pressure and high blood sugar candidly through his YouTube channel "God Kyung-kyu," displaying a human side. Whether this incident will result in the 'blemish' of being registered for the first time or conclude as a misunderstanding caused by prescribed medication depends on the outcome of the police investigation, as public attention is focused on it. The trust built over 44 years without incidents carries significant weight, and a plausible explanation and judgment regarding this matter are now required.
Meanwhile, the police plan to comprehensively determine whether a legal violation occurred by considering CCTV footage, drug component analysis results, the timing of medication intake, and physical condition during driving.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]