BIGBANG member G-Dragon’s past and recent drug-related investigations are once again drawing attention after reports revealed an unusual connection between the two cases: the same legal figure appears on opposite sides of the situation.
According to an exclusive report from MHN Sports on June 15, former prosecutor Kim Hee Joon, who led the violent crimes division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office during the 2011 G-Dragon marijuana investigation, later joined the singer’s legal defense team during the 2023 drug case involving allegations of violating South Korea’s Narcotics Control Law.
The revelation sparked discussion in legal circles, as the same person was connected to both investigations involving G-Dragon: first as a senior prosecutor overseeing the division in charge, and then as one of the singer’s legal representatives.
In 2011, G-Dragon was investigated by prosecutors after he was accused of smoking marijuana at a club in Japan.
At the time, prosecutors said G-Dragon believed the substance delivered to him by a Japanese acquaintance was an ordinary cigarette. However, the case gained momentum after a test on her hair returned positive results for marijuana.
The investigation officially began in July 2011, when Kim Hee Joon was head of the violent crimes division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office.
Later that September, Kim was reassigned during the regular reshuffle of the prosecution staff, and prosecutor Kim Hoe Jong took over the division.
In October 2011, prosecutors announced the dismissal of G-Dragon’s prosecution. Authorities explained that the decision took into consideration several factors, including that he was not a regular user, that the smoking incident occurred only once, that it was his first offense and that he had shown remorse.
Due to the timeline, Kim Hee Joon is not believed to have been the direct decision maker behind the final non-indictment ruling. However, he oversaw the department responsible for investigations during his active period.
In South Korea, a stay of prosecution means that the authorities recognize the criminal suspect but decide not to proceed with formal proceedings after considering various circumstances. Legally, this differs from a verdict of innocence or a finding of no wrongdoing.
Approximately 12 years later, in 2023, G-Dragon once again found himself under investigation for alleged violations of the Narcotics Control Act.
At the time, Incheon Metropolitan Police launched an investigation based largely on statements from an entertainment venue employee. However, detailed tests conducted by the National Forensic Service, including hair and nail analysis, reportedly returned negative results.
The police subsequently concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the charges and decided not to forward the case to prosecutors.
A non-referral decision means that the investigating authorities determine that there is inadequate evidence or insufficient grounds to establish a criminal offence, which means that the case is not referred to the prosecutor’s office.
As a result, the outcomes of the two G-Dragon cases were legally very different. In 2011, authorities acknowledged marijuana use and suspended the prosecution. In 2023, investigators failed to prove the allegations and closed the case without prosecution.
The only figure present in both cases was lawyer Kim Hee Joon. He previously served as head of the prosecution division overseeing the 2011 G-Dragon investigation and later joined the singer’s legal team in 2023.
At the time of the 2011 investigation, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office was conducting widespread investigations into drug-related crimes involving celebrities.
During Kim Hee Joon’s tenure, several artists including Kim Sung Min, Kang Sung Pil, and Jeon Chang Geol were arrested or prosecuted for marijuana-related charges.
G-Dragon’s case took place in the midst of this broader crackdown. Prosecutors publicly confirmed the positive hair test results at the time, but ultimately cited his first-time offender status, limited quantity consumed and one-time use when deciding on the stay of the charge.
Industry observers also note that the timing of the scandal coincided with a critical business period for YG Entertainment.
YG Entertainment officially listed on the KOSDAQ market in November 2011, and the G-Dragon marijuana case surfaced shortly before the company’s stock market debut, making it one of the biggest reputational risks surrounding the agency at the time.
Concerns were widespread about how a drug-related controversy involving a member of one of Korea’s major idol groups could impact YG’s corporate value and investor confidence, according to several entertainment industry insiders.
Following the news, the entertainment industry reportedly watched the developments closely, with many industry insiders discussing the potential long-term consequences for both BIGBANG and the agency.
An industry source recalled, “At the time, people were less concerned about the case itself and more about the impact it might have on BIGBANG, the value of the YG brand and the company’s image after the IPO.”
That said, former prosecutors later joining high-profile legal defense teams is not uncommon in South Korea’s legal sector.
Similar controversies involving so-called “former official legal teams” have emerged in major cases involving former President Lee Myung Bak’s BBK and DAS investigations, former President Park Geun Hye’s corruption scandal, and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae Yong’s legal battles over management succession and political corruption allegations.
More recently, former Ssangbangwool Group chairman Kim Sung Tae, currently on trial in a North Korea remittances case, has also attracted attention for hiring former elite prosecutors.
However, some legal experts suggest that G-Dragon’s situation stands out from more conventional cases.
A legal industry source commented: “It is common for former prosecutors to join defense teams in major cases. However, this case draws attention because the individual who years ago oversaw the division investigating G-Dragon has since joined his legal team.”
Based on the currently verified facts, there is no evidence that lawyer Kim Hee Joon directly made the decision regarding the suspension of G-Dragon’s prosecution in 2011. Likewise, there is no confirmed basis linking his participation in the 2023 legal team to the police’s decision not to refer the case to judicial proceedings.
Ultimately, none of G-Dragon’s drug-related cases resulted in criminal punishment.
Responding to speculations, G-Dragon’s representatives clarified that Kim Hee Joon’s involvement in the legal team was not personally requested by the artist.
A source close to G-Dragon told MHN Sports, “The lawyer who has been handling legal matters for G-Dragon since his military discharge reportedly suggested bringing Kim Hee Joon into the defense team during the legal preparation process.”
MHN Sports said it reached out to Kim Hee Joon’s team for comment on June 12, but had not received a response by the time the report was published.
Sources: Naver
