T.O.P, member of Korean boy band Big Bang, was dismissed from his military service as a conscripted policeman after he was found guilty by a Seoul court for smoking marijuana, a banned drug under Korean law.
This was the decision of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's review committee which studied if the singer could continue serving as a conscripted policeman in light of his conviction.
The committee concluded that it was "inadequate" for T.O.P to resume his duty as a conscripted policeman, Yonhap News reported.
A Seoul court convicted and sentenced T.O.P last July 20 to 10 months of imprisonment suspended for two years and a measly fine of 12,000 won (US$10.73), saying that "the defendant has admitted his guilt and the court acknowledges all charges as guilty."
According to the court's decision, "The defendant, as someone who's been loved by many fans here and abroad, has disappointed his family and fans. Yet the court has allowed for the fact that he has pleaded guilty, regrets having committed the wrongdoing and shows willingness not to commit such a misdeed again."
After his conviction, he faced the media and said, ""I'm truly sorry that I disappointed my fans and the public. I will do my best to make a fresh start and not to make such a mistake again with what I've learned from this lesson."
He entered the Korean military in February and was assigned at the Gangnam Police to complete his 21-month military service.
His case will be sent to the Korean army which will decide his transfer. He has completed five months of military service and with the police's decision, he will serve the remaining time as a full-time reservist or public service worker, the news report added.
While serving as a conscripted policeman, he suffered a huge setback when prosecutors investigated him for using marijuana together with a YG Entertainment female trainee at his home in October last year.
His hair tested positive for marijuana and he was indicted by prosecutors in early June. A day after his indictment, he was found unconscious and was rushed to a hospital. Doctors said that he overdosed on the drug benzodiazepine, which is used to treat anxiety. He was later discharged and was taken to another hospital for psychiatric treatment.
