T.O.P's military service suspended over marijuana scandal
By Ko Dong-hwan
T.O.P of K-pop band BIGBANG is moved from Ewha Womans University Medical Center in Seoul to another hospital, Friday. / Yonhap
T.O.P of K-pop boy band BIGBANG was officially suspended from mandatory military service on Friday after being indicted for smoking marijuana on multiple occasions.
T.O.P, whose real name is Choi Seung-hyun, is accused of smoking the banned substance four times with a trainee female singer, 21, at his home in Yongsan-gu, Seoul last October.
Choi, who began his military service as a policeman in February, was indicted without detention Monday. He was admitted to Ewha Womans University Medical Center in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul the next day suffering from an apparent overdose of benzodiazepine. He became unconscious.
He was moved to another hospital on Friday after regaining consciousness
An official at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said, "We have suspended Choi of his duty after receiving the original indictment document from prosecutors."
T.O.P's military service period will be put on hold until a court reaches a verdict. If he receives a jail term of 18 months or more, he will be dishonorably discharged.
In case of a milder punishment, he will be eligible for a police review of whether he is fit to serve with the police.
If he fails to pass the review, he will be discharged from the police and be forced to finish his military duty as a public service worker.