Former South Korean President Moon Jae In addresses Lee Sun-kyun's death; says investigative practices and media behavior was 'catalyst for his tragic decision'

The former President of South Korea, Moon Jae In, has shared his thoughts on the untimely death of actor Lee Sun-kyun. In a Facebook post, the politician shared his condolences and expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident.

President Moon wrote, "I mourn the unfortunate death of actor Lee Sun-kyun. As an actor that I've become familiar with through movies and dramas, it feels as though a close acquaintance has departed from this world."

He went on to express profound sadness, particularly noting the role of investigative practices by law enforcement officers and media reporting of the drug case that he says, acted as a 'catalyst for his tragic decision'.



Voicing his concerns in his note, he said, "It is even more heart-wrenching as it seems the investigative practices of law enforcement agencies and the reporting behaviour of the media is the catalyst for his tragic decision."

President Moon expressed hope that Lee Sun-kyun's passing prompts reflection and a departure from regressive investigative and reporting practices, preventing the recurrence of such heartbreaking events in the future.

Further emphasizing the need for change, he added, "We must put an end to situations where allegations and speculations flood the media, causing significant harm to reputation and dignity to individuals even before criminal charges are confirmed, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes."

Lee Sun-kyun was found dead in his car on the morning of December 27. The actor had been under investigation following allegations of drug use. He had been under the scanner since October 2023. Despite negative drug test results, the investigation continued based on claims by nightclub manager 'A,' who reportedly blackmailed Lee to the tune of 350 Million KRW. Interestingly, media reports suggested that this person 'A' had a history of drug offenses.

Lee Sun-kyun consistently denied the allegations against him, asserting that he thought substances given by 'A' would help him sleep. In the days leading up to his demise, he even volunteered for a lie detector test.

The circumstances surrounding the police's investigation have triggered widespread uproar from the virtual community and fans around the world. Many have prompted questions about the nature and intensity of the probe. The actor's passing has sparked a national conversation about the country's stringent drug laws and the need for a more empathetic approach to investigations.