Korean singer PSY, who rose to global fame with the song 'Gangnam Style,' was reported in August to be under police investigation on suspicion of violating the Medical Services Act. Although he promptly clarified that he was diagnosed by a doctor and only failed to realize that an agent should not collect his prescription on his behalf, the Korean Medical Association remained furious, stating that a thorough investigation was necessary. On the 11th, PSY's office and vehicles were seized and searched.
According to Korean media reports, the Seoul Seodaemun Police Station conducted a raid on August 4 on PSY’s agency P NATION and its vehicles on suspicion of illegally collecting prescription sleeping pills, among other charges. It is reported that the police have confiscated PSY’s mobile phone and conducted digital forensics, obtaining materials related to non-face-to-face prescriptions and proxy pickup of prescription drugs. In response, P NATION stated, 'We have actively cooperated with the demands of the investigative authorities, and we will continue to take necessary action according to legal procedures.'
Previously, PSY was alleged to have, since 2022, received prescriptions for psychiatric medications—'Xanax' and 'Stilnox'—from a university hospital in Seoul without in-person consultations, and instructed his agent to collect the drugs on his behalf, possibly in violation of the Medical Services Act.
Both of these drugs are psychiatric medications primarily used to treat sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression. They are known to have a high potential for dependence and addiction, and, in principle, prescriptions should only be issued after a face-to-face consultation. In response, PSY’s side said: '(PSY) was diagnosed with chronic sleep disorder and used sleeping pills according to medical professionals’ prescriptions. There were instances where drugs were collected by a third party in the process. We deeply apologize again for causing concern.'
Source: ETtoday