Police probing drug use allegations of chaebol scions

A grandson of SK Group founder Chey Jong-gun is brought in by police officers into the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, Monday, for alleged purchase and use of marijuana products. Yonhap

By Kim Hyun-bin

Members of big conglomerate families including SK and Hyundai are being investigated for alleged drug use, as police have expanded an initial probe following suspicions that more scions of chaebol have engaged in similar illegal behavior.

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency detained a grandson of SK Group founder Chey Jong-gun, Monday, for purchasing and smoking marijuana. The 31 year-old confessed to the offences, and the police plan to ask the prosecution to request an arrest warrant.

He allegedly purchased liquid cannabis cartridges on 15 different occasions from a 27-year-old dealer surname Lee, and three occasions from an unidentified dealer, between March and May last year, with the total cost reaching 7 million won ($6,160). He allegedly received the cannabis via a parcel service after contacting Lee through Telegram and transferring money to the seller's account, officers said.

He told police that he smoked most of the drug at his house. The cartridges can be smoked like an electric cigarette and have little odor compared to other similar products.

Police said Chey tested positive for marijuana during a preliminary drug test, and they plan to request the National Forensic Service for a detailed evaluation.

“Chey consumed all the liquid marijuana,” a police officer said. “We are searching for the other dealer who sold him drugs.”

Police arrested Lee last month for selling illegal drugs, and during questioning Lee confessed that he sold marijuana to Chey.

After graduating from a university in the U.S., Chey has been working at an SK Group affiliate.

While investigating Lee, the police also found out that a grandson of Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung had purchased the same marijuana products from Lee. They plan to book the 28-year-old, who is staying overseas, on suspicions of illegal drug use and question him when he returns to Korea.

On Lee's “customer list” was not only Chey and Chung but also some scions of other chaebol and wealthy families, and police are also looking into these people.