On December 26, Judge Seo Hyo-jin of the Suwon District Court’s Anyang Branch issued an arrest warrant for Hwang Hana on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act, citing concerns over potential evidence destruction. The decision came after a pre-arrest warrant hearing.
Hwang Hana had been under police investigation since July 2023 for allegedly administering methamphetamine to two acquaintances in Gangnam, Seoul. However, she left the country in December of the same year, first traveling to Thailand before reportedly entering Cambodia illegally, where she remained in hiding.
Despite police efforts—including requesting an Interpol red notice in May last year and invalidating her passport—Hwang avoided arrest for nearly a year.
The situation changed when Hwang unexpectedly expressed her intention to return to South Korea. She was arrested immediately upon landing on a flight to Korea on the morning of December 24. Authorities conducted a drug test upon her arrival and are also investigating whether additional illegal acts occurred during her time abroad.
During the warrant hearing, Hwang strongly denied all allegations, stating that she neither used methamphetamine nor provided it to others. She further claimed that her decision to return was motivated by her desire to take responsibility for a child she recently gave birth to in Cambodia.
According to reports, the child and the child’s father—who had been staying with Hwang in Cambodia—also entered South Korea the day before the hearing. However, the court ruled that these personal circumstances were insufficient to negate the risk of evidence tampering.
Hwang Hana is widely known to the public as the granddaughter of the founder of Namyang Dairy Products and as the former fiancée of singer-actor Park Yoo-chun. Her name has repeatedly surfaced in high-profile drug-related scandals over the years.
She was previously convicted for methamphetamine use between May and September 2015 and received a suspended sentence in 2019. While still under probation, she was again indicted for drug use and ultimately sentenced to one year and eight months in prison.
Upon her release in November 2019, Hwang Hana publicly stated, “I sincerely regret my past actions and will continue to reflect and live a proper life.” However, her latest arrest has reignited public criticism and concern.
Adding to the tragedy surrounding her past, Hwang’s former husband—who was reportedly a key witness in a 2021 drug investigation involving her—and another acquaintance both attempted extreme actions, resulting in the husband’s death and the acquaintance being left in critical condition.
In her final statement to the court, Hwang reportedly broke down in tears, saying she deeply misses her late husband and hopes for the recovery of the acquaintance who has not regained health since the incident.
As the investigation continues, public attention remains sharply focused on whether Hwang Hana’s repeated promises of change can hold weight amid her recurring legal troubles.
Sources: Daum