G-Dragon to donate 300 mln won for establishment of foundation against drug abuse

By Kim Joo-heon Posted : December 26, 2023, 17:34 Updated : December 26, 2023, 20:26
[Yonhap News Photo]
SEOUL -- South Korean singer Kwon Ji-yong, known by his stage name G-Dragon, will donate 300 million won ($231,570) to set up "JusPeace," a foundation to combat drug abuse. The 35-year-old artist, who was put under a drug investigation, has been cleared of all charges, and the police have officially closed the case.

Along with Lee Sun-kyun, who gained global recognition after appearing in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," directed by Bong Joon-ho in 2019, G-Dragon was put under a drug investigation on suspicion of illegal drug use in early November. G-Dragon strongly denied the use of drugs while Lee apologized for causing public concern. After a series of tests, the police admitted that G-Dragon faced no charges.

Galaxy Corporation, the singer's agency, said on December 25 that G-Dragon will donate 300 million won for the establishment of JusPeace. The name of the foundation is a compound of "Justice" and "Peace." G-Dragon is currently looking for experts engaged in the fields of healthcare, public policy, welfare, and culture to form the foundation's advisory board.

Galaxy Corporation earlier issued a deadline warning to cyberbullies spreading malicious rumors about G-Dragon's drug scandal. If the malicious comments are not deleted or corrected by December 28, the agency will take legal action. However, there would be mercy for those who delete or correct them. 

The drug scandal was first sparked in October by a testimony from a 29-year-old adult entertainment bar hostess who claimed that Lee and G-Dragon used drugs including marijuana at the private bar. A total of ten celebrities underwent investigation. Cyberbullies created online content using past interview videos and news footage about the singer and claimed his body movements showed signs of drug addiction.

The private adult entertainment bar is located in Seoul's southern district of Gangnam, famous for rapper Psy's 2012 global hit song "Gangnam Style." It is not unusual for South Korean celebrities to hang out in private entertainment bars because of privacy. The private drinking clubs separate guests in enclosed bar rooms tended by dedicated waiters. 

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