Actor Ha Jung-woo apologizes after indictment for alleged illegal propofol use

Actor Ha Jung-woo / Korea Times file

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Actor Ha Jung-woo has issued an apology after prosecutors summarily indicted him over the alleged illegal use of propofol, a sleep inducer used for surgery or medical procedures.

On May 28, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office sought a fine of 10 million won ($8,980) against him. A summary indictment does not require a formal trial.

In a statement, Ha said he has fully cooperated with the investigation and accepts the monetary penalty imposed on him.

“As an actor who has been receiving way more love than I deserve, I should have acted with higher self-discipline. I didn't recognize I was at fault because it was part of the treatment. I have reflected deeply upon my naive judgment and I sincerely apologize to you all, including my company and family, for causing trouble. I promise I will be more cautious of my actions in the future,” he said.

Prosecutors have been investigating the case since last year, focusing on allegations he received around 10 shots of the anesthetic drug without proper prescriptions at a plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam District, between January and September in 2019. They said Ha got the shots with prescriptions issued to his younger brother and manager.

The actor denied the allegations, claiming getting the shots was part of legitimate medical treatment for skin trouble.

Propofol is a controlled substance that has been classified as illegal when used for any purposes other than surgical treatment. However, it has been abused by many celebrities and business bigwigs, due to comparably easier access and quicker recovery from anesthesia.

After making his acting debut in the 2002 romance film “Madeleine,” he has starred in blockbuster films like “Along with the Gods” (2017) and “Ashfall” (2019). Ha has been confirmed to appear in the Netflix original series “Suriname.” This marks the actor's return to acting in a series. His last such role was in the MBC drama series “H.I.T.” (2007).