Comedian Lee Kyung-kyu (65) acknowledged that driving after taking medication for panic disorder was his own carelessness.
Seoul's Gangnam Police Station summoned Lee on the 24th as a suspect for driving after taking drugs, questioning him about the circumstances of the drug intake and the situation at the time of driving. The investigation, which began at 9 p.m., lasted about 1 hour and 45 minutes until 10:45 p.m.
Lee is under suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act for having driven the same model of another person's car due to the mistake of a parking attendant around 2 p.m. on the 8th in Gangnam District. He tested positive on a preliminary drug test conducted by the police. The National Institute of Scientific Investigation (NISI) later confirmed the positive result, changing his status to that of a suspect.
After completing the investigation, Lee told reporters, "I did not fully realize that I shouldn't drive after taking medication for panic disorder," and added, "If there are such types of medications among the ones I take, I would suggest that it would be better to refrain from driving, and I will also be careful."
Through a statement read by his accompanying attorney, it was noted that he had suffered from panic disorder for 10 years and had taken prescription medication the day before the incident, but due to his poor physical condition, he drove to the hospital himself, stating, "It is a clear case of carelessness with no excuses."
Article 45 of the Road Traffic Act prohibits driving when the driver is in a state that could impair normal driving due to the influence of drugs. Even if the medication is prescribed, if it hampers concentration and cognitive ability to the extent that normal driving is difficult, it constitutes a charge of drug driving.
Regarding driving another person's vehicle at the time of the incident, he explained, "I was holding my car key in my hand, and the vehicle door was open. The key for the vehicle I drove was also inside the vehicle, causing it to start," attributing it to a simple mistake by the parking attendant.
He stated, "I apologize for disappointing the fans who have believed in and supported me for a long time."
The police plan to decide on the course of action after analyzing Lee's statement.