PSY Fined ₩5 Million Over Proxy Pickup of Prescription Sleeping Medication
PSY has received a ₩5 million fine over allegations that prescription psychotropic medication was obtained without in-person visits and picked up by proxy.
According to the legal community on September 21, Judge Choi Ye Jin of the Seoul Western District Court issued a summary order on September 15, imposing a fine of 5 million won on PSY for violating the Medical Service Act.
A summary order is a legal procedure used in relatively minor cases in which a court reviews the case in writing and imposes a fine or other monetary penalty without holding a full trial.
If PSY chooses to challenge the order, he can request a formal trial within seven days of being notified of the decision.
PSY was accused of receiving prescriptions for Xanax and Stilnox, both classified as psychotropic medications, from a university hospital in Seoul without undergoing in-person consultations from 2022 onward. The medication was then allegedly collected on his behalf by his manager.
Xanax and Stilnox are medications used in the treatment of conditions including sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression. Because of their potential for dependence and misuse, they are subject to strict prescription requirements. Under the relevant medical regulations, prescriptions for such medication require a physician’s examination, while restrictions also apply to having prescriptions or medication collected by someone other than the patient.
In July, prosecutors summarily indicted PSY and the university hospital doctor, while four others, including his manager and medical staff, received suspended indictments.
Meanwhile, PSY made his debut in 2001. Over the course of his career, he has faced several controversies, including a past marijuana case and the cancellation of his alternative military service, which led to him serving again. He later achieved a major career resurgence with the global success of “Gangnam Style.” Most recently, he met fans through his signature summer concert series, Summer Swag, which ran from June through the end of the season.
Sources: Daum