Parasite director Bong Joon-ho slams police, media over star’s death

SEOUL – Oscar-winning Parasite film-maker Bong Joon-ho and other South Korean stars on Jan 12 called for an investigation into police and media conduct in the days leading to

actor Lee Sun-kyun’s death.

Lee, best known globally for his starring role in Bong’s 2019 film Parasite, was found dead in a car in Seoul in December, after

a two-month police investigation over suspected drug use.

Following his death, police were accused of leaking confidential details of their probe, triggering frenzied mainstream media coverage and a flurry of damaging content on YouTube and social media platforms.

“We urge a thorough investigation by the authorities to ascertain whether there were any lapses in police investigative security,” Bong, 54, said at a press conference attended by South Korean cineastes and industry figures.

He added that officials should also examine “whether any unauthorised disclosures” originated from police officers involved in the drug investigation, who may have improperly communicated with the media.

Bong was reading a statement, signed by about 30 organisations in South Korea’s booming entertainment industry, including film festivals, actors’ unions and the local screenwriters’ guild.

Actor Kim Eui-sung, who was also at the press event, said Lee’s death was due to a “character assassination”.

“I hope that such tragedies will never be repeated in the investigation of pop-culture artists,” Kim, 58, said.

Once celebrated for his wholesome image, Lee’s reputation suffered a significant blow when news of the police drug probe became public in October.

He was quickly dropped from television, film and commercial projects, incurring damage that media reports estimated at up to 10 billion won (S$10.1 million).

Bong and others called for strengthened legislation to better protect artists and entertainers, and urged the media to do better in future.

They specifically singled out South Korea’s national broadcaster KBS for its coverage of the case. In November, KBS had released audio recordings purportedly of Lee’s private phone conversations.

“Can KBS promise... their coverage on the private conversations of the deceased, unrelated to the allegations, was solely for the sake of the public’s right to know?” the joint statement said.

“We urge all media outlets, including KBS, to promptly remove any content that does not align with the purpose of responsible reporting.”

Lee had tested negative for drugs twice, during police investigations and in a lab test in November, according to the Yonhap news agency.

He also sat for three lengthy sessions of police questioning, with the last one starting on Dec 23 lasting for 19 hours. Lee’s body was found on Dec 27.

Incheon Metropolitan Police chief Kim Hui-jung said in December that the investigation process was carried out “in accordance with legal procedures” and that no leaks had occurred.

South Korea has extremely strict drug laws, and public opinion is typically supportive of police probes into illegal use and critical of people found to be breaking the law.

But since Lee’s death, criticism of police and media treatment of the late star has erupted online. AFP