'Parasite' director Bong Joon-ho calls for probe into 'tragic death' of South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Renowned filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, director of the critically acclaimed 'Parasite', has joined a chorus of Korean filmmakers and cultural organizations urging an investigation into the death of actor Lee Sun-kyun.
Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in 'Parasite', died at the age of 48 in December.
Bong Joon-ho joins calls for investigation into Lee Sun-kyun's death
Reports at the time stated that he was found dead inside a car at a Seoul park, with a purported suicide note left behind. The circumstances surrounding his death prompted concerns and now calls for a thorough investigation.
The newly formed Association of Solidarity of Cultural Artists has appealed to South Korean officials to continue investigating Lee's death as reported by Seoul's English-language outlet The Korea Herald and The Hollywood Reporter. They aim to seek the truth, address media coverage that doesn't adhere to journalistic standards, and advocate for legal revisions to protect the human rights of artists.
The organization plans to hold a press conference, and Bong Joon-ho, who collaborated with Lee on Parasite, is expected to participate, along with other influential figures from the South Korean entertainment industry.
“We have all come together under the firm conviction that no such incident should ever take place again, after facing the tragic death of actor Lee Sun-kyun,” the organization said in a statement, per THR.
The statement added, “We will call for a probe to discover the truth (of Lee’s death), request media outlets to delete articles that do not fulfill their function as journalism, as well as urge authorities to revise the law to protect the human rights of artists.”
Recently, two women were referred for potential indictment on charges of blackmailing Lee. The investigation revealed alleged blackmail attempts in exchange for a significant sum. The police closed the drug use investigation following Lee's death, which has been treated as an apparent suicide.
Multiple outlets reported that the South Korean police had closed the investigation into Lee's alleged drug use following his death, which was ruled an apparent suicide.
‘Parasite’ star Lee Sun-kyun’s final plea to police
In a tragic turn of events, ‘Parasite’ star Lee Sun-kyun, 48, was discovered dead in his car on December 27, just four days after he pleaded with the police not to disclose the details of his last questioning session over allegations of an extortion plot.
Lee Sun-kyun faced public interrogations regarding claims of illegal drug use, where he asserted that he was deceived into taking drugs by a hostess and subsequently blackmailed.
During the last session that extended through the night, the police rejected the lawyer's plea to keep the questioning private, leading to heightened media scrutiny of the actor's personal life.
A hostess accused Sun-kyun of drug use at her home, alleging marijuana consumption. Sun-kyun maintained that he was deceived into taking the drugs and claimed ignorance about their nature. He further asserted that the hostess attempted to blackmail him.
On December 26, a day before his body was discovered, Sun-kyun's lawyer expressed hope for any future interrogations to be conducted privately, as the actor felt burdened by public appearances.
Kim Hui-jung, the chief of the Incheon Metropolitan Police, defended the public interrogations, stating that they were justified and conducted with Lee's consent. Kim expressed deep regret over the actor's demise and extended condolences to his family. He noted that Lee's lawyer was present during all three public interrogations, including the final one that lasted throughout the night.
