Police suspend T.O.P. from military service
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T.O.P. of boy band Big Bang leaves Ewha Womans University Hospital in Seoul, Friday, after being hospitalized for an overdose of sedatives. He will receive a psychiatric evaluation at another hospital. / Yonhap
By Kim Bo-eun
Police suspended Big Bang’s T.O.P. from military service as a conscripted policeman, Friday, after he was charged for smoked marijuana.
T.O.P., whose real name is Choi Seung-hyun, was indicted Monday on charges of smoking the illegal substance last October before beginning his military service.
“We have received the indictment documents and the procedure for Choi’s military service suspension has been concluded,” an official at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said. Choi has been ordered to be sent home.
Police regulations state when a conscripted policeman is indicted on criminal charges, military duty is suspended.
Choi, 30, was hospitalized at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital Tuesday after taking what appeared to be an overdose of a sedative, benzodiazepine, at a police unit in eastern Seoul, where he was sent after his indictment. He initially served duty at Gangnam Police Station in southern Seoul.
He left hospital, Friday, after spending the past few days in an intensive care unit, and is set to be transferred to another hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
“I am sorry,” he told reporters as he left the hospital in a wheelchair.
His status as a conscripted policeman will be maintained, but the months leading up to a trial will not be included as military service
Choi will be tried without detention. The verdict will determine whether he will be able to continue his military service as a conscripted policeman and also his career as a boy band member.
Choi faces allegations of having smoked marijuana with a trainee singer identified by her surname Han on four occasions at his home in Yongsan-gu, Seoul in October last year, before he began his military duty this February.
He is suspected of having smoked marijuana twice _ and also twice in liquid form using an e-cigarette.
Choi, who denied allegations during questioning by police, acknowledged them during the prosecutors’ questioning.
Marijuana use can be punished with a maximum five-year prison term or a fine of up to 50 million won ($44,730).