PSY preparing for a performance in a stadium, wearing his signature “42” cap and holding a microphone. (Photo /Psy SNS)
“Gangnam Style” star PSY has been summarily indicted in South Korea over alleged violations of the country’s medical law involving prescriptions for psychotropic medication.
The Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office summarily indicted PSY, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, and a professor at a university hospital in Seoul on July 22, according to legal sources on Aug. 26.
The case centers on allegations that PSY received prescriptions for psychotropic medications through non-face-to-face consultations and had managers or other third parties collect the drugs on his behalf between 2022 and 2025.
Four other people who had been referred to prosecutors in connection with the case, including medical personnel and managers, received suspended indictments.
The amount of the fines sought against PSY and the professor has not been disclosed.
PSY Accused of Having Managers Pick Up Medication
The investigation previously found that PSY allegedly obtained prescriptions from a Seoul university hospital without undergoing the required in-person examinations.
The medications included Xanax and Stilnox, drugs commonly used in the treatment of conditions including anxiety and sleep disorders. Because they are classified as psychotropic medications and carry risks of dependence and misuse, their prescription and distribution are tightly regulated in South Korea.
PSY was also accused of having his manager and other third parties collect the medication for him.
Police referred PSY and five other people to prosecutors in May following their investigation.
When the allegations first emerged, PSY’s agency P Nation acknowledged that third parties had collected sleeping medication on his behalf in some instances, calling it a mistake, while maintaining that there had been no proxy prescription. The agency said PSY had been diagnosed with a chronic sleep disorder and had taken sleeping medication under medical supervision.
What Does a Summary Indictment Mean?
A summary indictment in South Korea allows prosecutors to ask a court to impose a fine or other monetary penalty without conducting a full trial. It does not mean that PSY has already been convicted or sentenced.
South Korean medical law generally requires prescriptions to be issued following appropriate medical examination and restricts third-party collection of prescription medication, subject to limited exceptions.
Violations can carry criminal penalties, with certain Medical Service Act offenses punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won.
PSY is one of South Korea’s most internationally recognized artists. He became a global phenomenon in 2012 with “Gangnam Style,” whose viral music video helped introduce K-pop to a far broader international audience.
He later founded entertainment agency P Nation, which represents and has worked with a number of Korean artists.
The court will now review prosecutors’ request in the summary proceedings.
David Kim is a senior author at Kpopbreaking.com, focusing on major K-pop events, industry trends, and global entertainment news.
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