South Korea has tough drug laws, and drug crimes are typically punishable by at least six months in prison or up to 14 years for repeat offenders and dealers. South Korean authorities have said the use of marijuana by Korean citizens, even in countries where it is legal, is considered a crime punishable by the law.
Lee had on Sunday been questioned by police for 19 hours over alleged use of marijuana and other psychoactive drugs. He was previously questioned in October and November regarding the same case.
On Tuesday, sources told Yonhap News, a major South Korean News Agency, that Lee had submitted a request for a polygraph test to the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency in charge of the investigation, claiming his innocence.
Lee tested negative in both the brief reagent test conducted during police investigations and the lab-based drug test by the National Forensic Service last month.
Lee starred as a rich family’s father in the Oscar-winning 2019 film Parasite. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, a first for a foreign-language film, and Best Director for Bong Joon-ho. Lee, along with other castmates, won a Screen Actors Guild award for that role.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
