Singer Psy (legal name Park Jae-sang) has reportedly been referred to prosecutors over shocking allegations that, after being prescribed psychoactive medication, he had his manager and others pick it up on his behalf.
According to MBC on the 2nd, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office received the case from police the previous day and is investigating Park Jae-sang, a professor at a university hospital in Seoul, and Psy’s manager, among four people in total, on suspicion of violating the Medical Service Act.
Psy is suspected of obtaining prescriptions for psychoactive medication from a Seoul university hospital between 2022 and last year without in-person examinations, then having third parties such as his manager collect the drugs instead.
The medication in question is reportedly used to treat insomnia and depression. Because of concerns about dependence and addiction, these drugs are generally prescribed following face-to-face consultations.
By law, a prescription must be written by a physician who directly examines the patient, and it is also restricted for anyone other than the examined patient to receive the prescription. Prosecutors are expected to review whether the prescribing and pickup process violated medical regulations based on the case file forwarded by police.
During the police investigation phase, Psy’s agency P NATION apologized regarding part of the suspicion. At the time, P NATION stated, "Having a third party collect a prescription-only sleeping pill was clearly our mistake and oversight," adding, "We apologize for causing concern."
However, the label drew a line at the allegation of proxy prescriptions. P NATION explained, "Psy was diagnosed with chronic insomnia and has taken sleeping medication according to medical guidance," and added, "He was prescribed and took the set dosage under medical supervision, and there was no proxy prescription."
Psy, who debuted in 2001, currently leads P NATION. The roster includes Crush, Heize, TNX, Hwasa, and Babydoncry.