Key of the group SHINee (birth name Kim Ki-bum) and YouTuber Short Mouth Sun (birth name Kim Mi-kyung) were questioned by police on suspicion of receiving illegal medical procedures from a woman known as the "injection aunt."
According to police on the 12th, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul summoned Key and Short Mouth Sun last month as suspects to question them on allegations including violations of the Medical Service Act.
The two are suspected of receiving IV drips and other injections from a person surnamed Lee who does not have a Korean medical license. Lee has been under police investigation on suspicion of performing medical procedures on celebrities and influencers in private spaces such as an officetel and a vehicle.
At the end of last year, police imposed a travel ban on Lee and, early this year, searched Lee's residence and other locations. In February, they also summoned Lee for questioning.
TV personality Park Na-rae is also implicated in the so-called "injection aunt" allegations. Park appeared before police in May on the same allegations for a third round of suspect questioning.
The Gangnam Police Station is currently investigating the cases related to Park Na-rae, Key, and Short Mouth Sun after merging them. The complaint related to Short Mouth Sun was filed at the Mapo Police Station in Seoul in December last year and then transferred to the Gangnam Police Station, while the complaint against Key was filed early this year.
Police are examining whether they knew at the time of treatment that Lee was performing unlicensed medical procedures. Not only the person who performs unlicensed medical procedures but also anyone who knowingly and actively requests them could be punished as an accomplice in violating the Medical Service Act.
Key and Short Mouth Sun acknowledged receiving treatment from Lee but explained that they believed Lee was a doctor. They then halted broadcasting activities in December last year, and Key resumed activities in June, about six months later.