South Korean star Psy’s office searched, phone seized in alleged illegal prescription probe
South Korean police have searched the office of K-pop star Psy and seized his mobile phone as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations that he obtained psychotropic drug prescriptions through a proxy.
South Korean singer Psy. Photo from Psy’s Instagram |
According to The Straits TimesPsy’s agency P Nation said on Dec. 11 that officers from Seoul’s Seodaemun Police Station searched the singer’s office on Dec. 4. The investigation concerns suspected violations of South Korea’s Medical Service Act.
P Nation said investigators confiscated Psy’s phone for digital forensic analysis and were securing data related to suspected remote and proxy prescriptions. It added that police also seized Psy’s car in Seoul’s Gangnam District.
“We have actively cooperated with the authorities’ investigations and will continue to take necessary measures in accordance with legal procedures,” the agency said.
Yonhap News Agency reported that police announced in August that Psy is under investigation over allegations that he received prescriptions for the psychotropic drugs Xanax and Stilnox without undergoing in-person medical consultations from 2022. The prescriptions were allegedly collected on his behalf by his manager and other individuals.
Xanax and Stilnox are commonly prescribed to treat sleep disorders, anxiety and depression, but are subject to strict controls due to their high risk of dependence and addiction. Under South Korean law, such medications must be prescribed only after direct consultation with the patient, and collection by third parties is prohibited.
Investigators earlier raided the hospital involved to secure medical records related to the case.
At the time, P Nation said Psy has long suffered from a chronic sleep disorder and has taken the medication strictly under medical supervision. The agency denied any illegal prescriptions, stating that while no proxy prescriptions were issued, a third party had, in some instances, collected the medication on Psy’s behalf.
Born Park Jae Sang, 47-year-old Psy rose to global fame with his 2012 hit “Gangnam Style.” Its music video became the first to surpass one billion views on YouTube and remained the platform’s most-viewed video from Nov. 2012 to July 2017.
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