Psychiatrist Oh Jin-seung expressed concerns regarding media reports about broadcaster Lee Kyung-kyu, who was investigated by the police for drug driving allegations.
Oh Jin-seung, a member of the YouTube channel 'Doctor Friends' and a psychiatrist, stated on his social media on the 25th, "Recently, there have been significant media reports that Lee Kyung-kyu was investigated by the police for violating the Road Traffic Act (drug driving) after driving while taking medication prescribed for panic disorder."
He continued, "It was reported that he mistakenly drove a vehicle of the same make and color as his own due to a parking attendant's error. I think that even someone like me, who is not taking panic disorder medication, could mistakenly drive my own car in such a situation."
Oh Jin-seung expressed concern, stating, "If such incidents are widely reported in the media, it could lead to social stigma and unnecessary misunderstandings about all individuals taking psychiatric medication." He added, "The perception that 'taking psychiatric medication is always dangerous' could discourage treatment in our society, which already has a high level of prejudice against psychiatry, leading to more people not receiving appropriate treatment."
He also mentioned, "Those who do not read the article in detail may form a prejudice from just the headline, thinking that taking psychiatric medication means one cannot distinguish their own car and could commit vehicle theft, leading to serious problems."
Lee Kyung-kyu was booked on the afternoon of the 8th for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu. At that time, he was reported for suspicion of theft while driving someone else's car of the same make. Investigations revealed that the parking attendant had mistakenly relayed the information about the vehicle.
In response, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul summoned Lee Kyung-kyu on the 24th and conducted an investigation for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. After the investigation, Lee Kyung-kyu told reporters, "I did not realize that I should not drive when taking panic disorder medication," and added, "The National Forensic Service's findings showed no traces of drugs or marijuana, just the usual medications I take."
The police plan to determine the course of action based on Lee Kyung-kyu's statements.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
