On Monday (31/7), hunky rapper T.O.P of popular boy band BIGBANG was ordered by police to discontinue his duty as a conscripted policeman — an alternative to his mandatory military service — following his conviction for smoking marijuana.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said it held a disciplinary review committee and concluded that allowing Choi Seung-hyun (his real name) to continue his police duty as part of his two-year military service was “inadequate.”
T.O.P was found guilty on July 20 of using the illicit drug (weed) multiple times and given a suspended 10-month jail term with a two-year probation.
Last Saturday (29/7), T.O.P has submitted an official medical note, which explains his current condition, and a written consent from a family member to the police.
The actor suffers from social anxiety and is going to take a sick leave from the military, but he will undergo an examination next week to find out if he is deemed fit to re-enlist to the military as a policeman. According to the police, He will have to serve as a social worker if he doesn’t pass the examination.
The 29-year-old smoked the banned substance four times with a trainee singer at his home in Seoul in October. He later pleaded guilty to all charges, saying he bitterly regrets his wrongdoings.
If the Army approves the police agency’s decision, Choi will have to finish the rest of his military service as a full-time reservist or a public service worker.
Police regulations mandate that officers indicted on criminal charges are to be discharged from their current post and put on disciplinary review to decide whether to keep the position. The illegal use of marijuana is punishable by up to five years in prison in Korea.
ICYMI: All able-bodied Korean men are required to complete at least 21 months of military service before the age of 35 in South Korea.
The talented singer had to put his burgeoning career on hold last February to serve his duty as a military reserve at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul. However, he was officially kicked out of his two-year mandatory military service as soon as news broke that he almost died in a marijuana drug scandal. Fortunately, he recovered quickly — a big relief to his devoted fans.
T.O.P was in the Korean army for only 3 months and 27 days. Looks like he might be facing more stress following this marijuana scandal.
We still love you T.O.P! 😭
