Singer Psy (real name Park Jae-sang, 48) was summarily indicted on suspicion of obtaining prescriptions for psychotropic drugs and having a manager and others pick them up by proxy.
The Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office said on the 26th that it summarily indicted Psy and Professor A at a university hospital in Seoul on the 22nd on suspicion of violating the Medical Service Act.
The remaining four people, including medical staff and a manager who were also referred to the prosecution, received deferred prosecution dispositions.
A summary indictment is a procedure in which prosecutors petition the court to impose a property penalty such as a fine or monetary penalty through a paper review without a formal trial. If the defendant objects to the courts summary order, a formal trial can be requested.
Psy is suspected of receiving prescriptions for the psychotropic drugs "Xanax" and "Stilnox" at a university hospital in Seoul from 2022 through last year without an in-person consultation and having a manager and others pick them up by proxy.
Under the current Medical Service Act, only a professor who has directly examined the patient can issue a prescription, and no one other than a patient who has been directly examined can receive a prescription.
Violations are punishable under the Medical Service Act by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won. There are exceptions for cases where the patient is unconscious or has difficulty moving, but Psy does not fall under these exceptions.
Professor A was charged with prescribing the drugs without directly examining Psy in person.
Earlier, the Seodaemun Police Station in Seoul conducted a search and seizure to secure the hospitals medical records and, after an investigation, referred six people—including Psy, a university hospital professor, and a manager—to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office on May 29 on suspicion of violating the Medical Service Act.