After completing the investigation related to driving under the influence of medication, comedian Lee Kyung-kyu stands in front of reporters. According to the legal community on the 22nd, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s Criminal Division 5 (Chief Prosecutor Kim Ji-young) has filed a summary indictment against Mr. Lee for violating the Road Traffic Act, seeking a fine of 2 million won.
A summary indictment is a procedure where the prosecution requests the court to issue a summary order for fines or penalties through a written review without a formal trial for relatively minor offenses.
Mr. Lee is accused of driving his car after taking prescribed medication in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, around 2 p.m. on June 8th. He was suspected of theft when he was seen driving a car that matched the make, model, and color of his own, belonging to someone else, and tested positive in a preliminary drug screening.
The police, after receiving the positive results from the National Forensic Service, summoned and investigated Mr. Lee before forwarding the case to the prosecution without detention in July.
After the police investigation, Mr. Lee stated, “I was not fully aware that driving after taking medication for panic disorder was prohibited.”
Under Article 45 of the Road Traffic Act, driving under the influence of medication is prohibited if it impairs one’s ability to drive safely. This applies even to prescribed medications if they significantly hinder one’s focus or cognitive abilities, making normal driving difficult.