SEOUL - Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in the acclaimed film "Parasite," is set to face police for a second time this week amid ongoing investigations into suspected drug use, Seoul officials announced Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the 48-year-old actor is scheduled to attend another questioning session at the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency on Saturday, which follows an initial inquiry held the previous weekend.
Lee is under scrutiny for allegedly consuming marijuana and other illegal substances several times since the beginning of the year, purportedly at the residence of a bar hostess in the upscale Gangnam district of Seoul.
Investigations into Lee's suspected drug activities emerged from a broader police probe into the illegal drug trade within Gangnam's nightclubs. This operation has resulted in the detention of ten individuals, including Lee and G-Dragon, a renowned member of the K-pop group BIGBANG, whose legal name is Kwon Ji-yong.
During Lee's first round of questioning, he underwent a rapid drug test that returned a negative result; however, the police have forwarded his urine and hair samples to the National Forensic Service for comprehensive analysis, which is expected to be completed in about a month.
At the forthcoming questioning, the police aim to interrogate Lee on the substance of the allegations against him. It is currently unclear whether Lee will provide any testimony on these matters, as he refrained from commenting on the allegations during the initial questioning, leading to its conclusion after roughly one hour.
Should Lee persist in denying the allegations, the police are contemplating the issuance of an arrest warrant.
Last week, Lee issued a public apology regarding his association with the scandal and expressed his commitment to fully cooperate with the police investigation with sincerity.
Lee's legal representative has stated that the prior investigation was convened specifically for the purpose of administering a swift drug screening, and that Lee is prepared to offer comprehensive explanations during subsequent interrogations.