“SOCIAL MURDER”
As Lee’s family and friends gather to mourn his death, public criticism of police and media conduct during his investigation for suspected drug use is growing.
Lee’s reputation had suffered a significant blow when South Korean authorities launched an investigation into his alleged drug use in October.
The celebrity was dropped from television, film and commercial projects, incurring damages media reports estimated at up to 10 billion won (US$7.8 million).
Police were accused of leaking confidential investigation details to the press, fanning malicious coverage and fueling the spread of unverified content online.
Lee’s death has prompted public criticism of the media and police, who questioned him for 19 hours a few days before his death.
“There was no need to name the suspect in the investigation,” Vladimir Tikhonov, professor of Korea studies at the University of Oslo, told AFP.
“In South Korea – to a much larger degree than in any European country with higher degrees of tolerance for the use of psychotropic stuff – being named as a suspect in a drug investigation is a punishment per se, by social ostracism.”
Yu Hyun-jae, a communications professor at Sogang University, told a local broadcaster that Lee’s case can be considered a “social murder”, with the media, police, and the public sharing responsibility.
Incheon Metropolitan Police chief Kim Hui-jung defended the “entire investigation process”, which he said was conducted “in compliance with legal procedures”.
“There was no leakage (to media) of investigation details as raised by some,” he told reporters Thursday.
South Korea has tough laws on illegal drugs, with President Yoon Suk-yeol declaring a “war on drugs” after taking office last year.
Source: CNA
