[OSENWORLD] South Korean singer PSY is under police investigation for allegedly obtaining prescriptions of psychotropic medication without direct medical consultation.
On August 27, broadcaster KBS reported that Seoul’s Seodaemun Police Station has placed PSY and a university hospital professor under investigation on suspicion of violating the Medical Service Act. Investigators allege that from 2022 until recently PSY received prescriptions for Xanax (an anti-anxiety medication) and Stilnox (a sleep aid also known as zolpidem) without in-person consultations, and that the medication was in some cases collected by his manager.
Authorities have reportedly conducted a compulsory search, seizing PSY’s medical records at the hospital as part of the probe. Under South Korean law, psychotropic medication must be collected in person by the patient, with very limited exceptions. Violations can lead to up to one year in prison or fines of up to 10 million KRW (approx. $7,300).
On August 28, PSY’s agency issued a formal statement acknowledging fault but clarifying the scope of the issue. “It is true that sleep medication, which is a prescription drug, was at times collected by a third party. This was clearly a mistake and an oversight on our part, and we sincerely apologize,” the company said. The statement stressed, however, that there had been “no proxy prescriptions,” only instances of proxy collection.
The agency added: “PSY has been diagnosed with chronic sleep disorders and has been taking prescription sleep medication under medical supervision and within prescribed dosage. There was no unlawful prescribing. In some cases, the medication was collected by another party, and the police are currently investigating this matter. Once again, we apologize for causing concern.”
Meanwhile, PSY recently wrapped up his annual SUMMERSWAG 2025 concert series, which toured major cities including Incheon, Uijeongbu, Daejeon, Busan, and Gwangju.
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
