Former JYJ member Yoochun expelled from agency due to trust issues regarding drug scandal

By Park Sae-jin Posted : April 24, 2019, 15:29 Updated : April 24, 2019, 15:38

[Aju News DB]

SEOUL -- Park Yoo-chun, a JYJ member, was expelled from his agency after police sought an arrest warrant for him on charges of using drugs. His agency said the 32-year-old would retire from the entertainment industry as he promised earlier.

"We decided to terminate the contract as we judged that we could not restore our trust with Park Yoo-Chun," C-JeS Entertainment said in a statement on Wednesday, a day after police asked prosecutors to obtain a court-issued warrant for Park, who is suspected of purchasing and using 1.5 grams of methamphetamine in February and March.

"We feel the seriousness and responsibility of this matter," the agency said, adding it had trusted what Park said earlier to refute the alleged use of drugs together with Hwang Ha-na, a 31-year-old granddaughter of the late founder of Namyang Dairy Products.

Park's involvement in a drug case came to light during a drug investigation into Hwang, who has been known as the actor's ex-fiance, who told investigators that she took methamphetamine with Yoo-chun at her home. The two promised to marry in 2017 but separated the following year.

At a press conference on April 10, Park strongly denied he had never used drugs. He argued that if he is found guilty, the consequences would be bigger than ending his entertainment career. "It will be like having my whole life denied." However, police said Tuesday that the National Forensic Service has found traces of methamphetamine from Park's leg hair.

The South Korean entertainment community was in shock, with fans slamming Park for pulling a show to cover up his crime. "Why was he so confident? Why did he hold a press conference and lie?" said "Ukja2", a user from South Korea's online community Clien. Another user "Killgore" said, "Maybe he thought he had outsmarted investigators and got rid of all evidence."

 
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기