South Korean singer Psy, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, has been summarily indicted on charges of violating medical law. The indictment stems from allegations that he received prescription psychiatric medications without direct medical consultation and had them dispensed to his manager. The Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office announced on October 26th that Psy and a professor from a Seoul university hospital, identified as Mr. A, were indicted on charges of violating the Medical Service Act. Four other individuals, including medical staff and Psy’s manager, who were also investigated, received recommendations for charges to be dropped.
Understanding Summary Indictment
A summary indictment, also known as a ‘약식기소’ (yaksik giso) in Korean, is a legal procedure where prosecutors seek a fine or penalty without a formal trial. This process typically involves the prosecutor requesting the court to impose a financial penalty or other disciplinary measures based on the submitted documents and evidence. The accused individual has the right to object to this procedure. If they do, the case can proceed to a full trial. This method is often used for less severe offenses or when the evidence is considered straightforward.
Allegations Against Psy and Hospital Staff
The investigation reportedly began after authorities received a tip regarding the alleged improper prescription practices. According to the allegations, from 2022 through last year, Psy visited a university hospital in Seoul and
