It has been revealed that the police violated investigation disclosure rules by rejecting Lee Sun Gyun's request to keep his summons private.

A December 28 report from Yonhap News indicated that police denied a request from Lee Sun Gyun's representatives for a private summons during the third round of questioning.

Previously, on October 28, Lee Sun Gyun attended his first round of questioning, where he was met by a swarm of reporters. During this public appearance, he bowed and offered repeated apologies. Similar scenes unfolded during his second appearance before the media.

In anticipation of further public scrutiny, Lee Sun Gyun's defense attorney formally requested a private summons for the subsequent, third investigation. However, this appeal for discretion was ultimately rejected by the police.

On December 22, a day before the third summons investigation, Lee Sun Gyun's defense attorney stated in a phone call with Yonhap News, "Even though Lee Sun Gyun is a public figure, the police have already summoned him twice publicly," and added, "This time, we requested a private summons, but it was not accepted."

At the time, an official from the Incheon Police Department stated, "Lee's attorney did not request a private summons," and explained, "We will accept the request if made." However, when Lee Sun Gyun's defense attorney strongly requested a private summons again, the police reportedly responded, "It's difficult."

Regarding this matter, an official from the Incheon Police Department explained, "Some broadcast reporters have expressed the position that public summons should be carried out," and stated, "Even within the reporter group, opinions are divided, and summoning him privately might cause more harm to the suspect if he is caught on video or in photos as if he was hiding."

Arranging for individuals connected to a case to be in a photo line at a specific time contravenes police investigation disclosure regulations that forbid such actions.

As stipulated by Article 16 of the 'Rules on Publicity of Police Investigations, etc.,' the head of a police agency is mandated not to permit the media to film or record attendance or investigation proceedings. Should filming or recording be necessary, measures must be implemented to ensure that individuals related to the case are not exposed.

Actor Yoo Ah In, facing suspicions of drug use, voiced his protest ahead of his second summons in May, stating, "I requested to use an alternative route in line with the principle of private summons, but the police declined."

Similarly, the prosecution implements measures to shield suspects or those associated with a case from media exposure when they seek a private summons. Specifically, under the Ministry of Justice's guidelines, outlined in the 'Regulations on Publicity of Criminal Cases,' the prosecution is prohibited from facilitating media contact against the wishes of those linked to the case, and any attempts to encourage or induce such contact are also forbidden.

Earlier, on the morning of December 27, Lee Sun Gyun was found dead at a park near his residence in Seoul. The day before his death, on December 26, he had requested a lie detector test through his defense attorney, expressing his innocence regarding the drug use allegations.

During this process, Lee Sun Gyun's defense attorney asserted that the lie detector test must be conducted privately. Regarding this, an official from the Incheon Police Department stated, "It is true that private summons is a principle," and clarified, "The police have never publicly disclosed Lee's summons schedule."