<p>Incheon: The former front man for the K-pop band BIGBANG, known as G-Dragon, appeared at a police station for questioning on Monday over allegations of illegal drug use, the latest in a string of South Korean artists embroiled in high-profile narcotics cases.</p><p>The investigation against the singer and rapper, whose given name is Kwon Ji-yong, comes amid an ongoing crackdown on illegal drugs by the government of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol.</p><p>After the allegations surfaced in late October, shares of some K-pop agencies fell, including Kwon's former agent YG Entertainment, though they have since rebounded.</p><p>Leaving the police station after four hours of questioning, Kwon, 35, denied the allegations and said a drug test taken during questioning came back negative. He said he was cooperating with the police investigation.</p><p>As he arrived for questioning earlier, Kwon, who was dressed in a dark suit, said: "There is no truth to (the accusation of) illegal drug-related crime."</p><p>The police station in Incheon was the same location where the star of the Oscar-winning film <em>Parasite</em>, Lee Sun-kyun, was separately also questioned over the weekend over an allegation of illegal drug use.</p>.<p>Lee declined to comment as he left the police station on Saturday, only saying he had answered all the questions asked by police to the best of his knowledge.</p><p>A series of arrests on drug charges in recent months, including of chaebol heirs and celebrities, has prompted authorities to tighten a crackdown on narcotics and customs inspections.</p><p>South Korea has tough drug laws, and crimes are typically punishable by at least six months in prison or up to 14 years for repeat offenders and dealers.</p><p>Social media and foreign travel have made illegal drugs more accessible, drug rehab advocates say.</p><p>Kwon is not the first member of BIGBANG to face criminal charges.</p><p>In 2017, T.O.P., whose legal name is Choi Seung-hyun, received a suspended 10-month jail sentence for marijuana use, after he pleaded guilty and sought leniency to avoid a prison term.</p><p>Seungri, whose real name is Lee Seung-hyun, was convicted in 2021 of collusion in a tax evasion, bribery and prostitution scheme and served an 18-month prison sentence.</p><p>BIGBANG dominated the K-pop scene after their debut in 2006. Kwon and four other former and current members have pursued solo careers.</p>
<p>Incheon: The former front man for the K-pop band BIGBANG, known as G-Dragon, appeared at a police station for questioning on Monday over allegations of illegal drug use, the latest in a string of South Korean artists embroiled in high-profile narcotics cases.</p><p>The investigation against the singer and rapper, whose given name is Kwon Ji-yong, comes amid an ongoing crackdown on illegal drugs by the government of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol.</p><p>After the allegations surfaced in late October, shares of some K-pop agencies fell, including Kwon's former agent YG Entertainment, though they have since rebounded.</p><p>Leaving the police station after four hours of questioning, Kwon, 35, denied the allegations and said a drug test taken during questioning came back negative. He said he was cooperating with the police investigation.</p><p>As he arrived for questioning earlier, Kwon, who was dressed in a dark suit, said: "There is no truth to (the accusation of) illegal drug-related crime."</p><p>The police station in Incheon was the same location where the star of the Oscar-winning film <em>Parasite</em>, Lee Sun-kyun, was separately also questioned over the weekend over an allegation of illegal drug use.</p>.<p>Lee declined to comment as he left the police station on Saturday, only saying he had answered all the questions asked by police to the best of his knowledge.</p><p>A series of arrests on drug charges in recent months, including of chaebol heirs and celebrities, has prompted authorities to tighten a crackdown on narcotics and customs inspections.</p><p>South Korea has tough drug laws, and crimes are typically punishable by at least six months in prison or up to 14 years for repeat offenders and dealers.</p><p>Social media and foreign travel have made illegal drugs more accessible, drug rehab advocates say.</p><p>Kwon is not the first member of BIGBANG to face criminal charges.</p><p>In 2017, T.O.P., whose legal name is Choi Seung-hyun, received a suspended 10-month jail sentence for marijuana use, after he pleaded guilty and sought leniency to avoid a prison term.</p><p>Seungri, whose real name is Lee Seung-hyun, was convicted in 2021 of collusion in a tax evasion, bribery and prostitution scheme and served an 18-month prison sentence.</p><p>BIGBANG dominated the K-pop scene after their debut in 2006. Kwon and four other former and current members have pursued solo careers.</p>