On December 26, Judge Seo Hyo-jin of the Anyang Branch of Suwon District Court issued an arrest warrant for Hwang Hana on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Law, citing concerns about potential destruction of evidence. The decision came after a preliminary hearing on the arrest warrant.
Hwang Hana had been under police investigation since July 2023 for allegedly administering methamphetamine to two acquaintances in Gangnam, Seoul. However, she left the country in December of that year, first traveling to Thailand before illegally entering Cambodia, where she remained in hiding.
Despite police efforts – including requesting a red notice from Interpol in May last year and having his passport invalidated – Hwang avoided arrest for almost a year.
The situation changed when Hwang unexpectedly expressed her intention to return to South Korea. She was arrested immediately after landing on a flight to Korea on the morning of December 24. Authorities conducted a drug test upon his arrival and are also investigating whether other illegal acts occurred during his time abroad.
During the warrant hearing, Hwang strongly denied all allegations, stating that he did not use methamphetamine or provide it to others. He also stated this her decision to return was motivated by a desire to take responsibility for a child she recently gave birth to in Cambodia.
According to reports, the child and the child’s father, who were staying with Hwang in Cambodia, also entered South Korea the day before the hearing. However, the court ruled that these personal circumstances were not sufficient to exclude the risk of tampering with evidence.
Hwang Hana is widely known to the public as the granddaughter of the founder of Namyang Dairy Products and as the ex-girlfriend of singer-actor Park Yoo-chun. Over the years his name has surfaced several times in high-profile drug scandals.
She had previously been convicted of methamphetamine use between May and September 2015 and received a suspended sentence in 2019. While still on probation, she was again charged with drug use and ultimately sentenced to one year and eight months in prison.
Upon his release in November 2019, Hwang Hana publicly stated: “I sincerely regret my past actions and will continue to reflect and live a good life.” However, his latest arrest has reignited public criticism and concern.
Adding to the tragedy surrounding her past, Hwang’s ex-husband — who was reportedly a key witness in a 2021 drug investigation involving her — and another acquaintance both attempted extreme actions, resulting in the husband’s death and leaving the acquaintance in critical condition.
In her final statement to the court, Hwang reportedly burst into tears, saying she deeply misses her late husband and hopes for the recovery of her acquaintance who did not regain his health after the accident.
As the investigation continues, public attention remains sharply focused on whether Hwang Hana’s repeated promises of change could carry weight amid his recurring legal troubles.
Sources: Daum
