'Suwon Zombie' Tests Positive for Drugs Again After Two Months... Caught by Hair Analysis

[Anchor]

Two months ago, a video of a man standing frozen like a zombie, appearing to be under the influence of drugs in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, went viral on social media and caused a major uproar. Although he initially tested positive on a preliminary drug test and was emergency-arrested by the police, he was released after the test results were overturned. However, that was not the end of the story.

Reporter An Huijae has the details.

[Reporter]

A man lets his arms dangle, staggers, and then stands frozen, leaning heavily to one side.

This is the so-called Suwon Zombie video that spread via social media in June.

It closely resembled the sights of severe patients in the United States addicted to fentanyl, a highly addictive synthetic drug, sparking widespread controversy because it occurred near an apartment complex and an elementary school in the city center.

[Nearby Resident (in June): It is a place where many students pass by, and the bus stop is right in front. Just having a person like that here is terrifying.]

However, Mr. A, who was emergency-arrested by the police following a pursuit, was released just a day later.

He was released because, although he tested positive on a preliminary drug screening, the preliminary urine analysis by the National Forensic Service concluded he was negative for methamphetamine. Now, two months later, the case involving Mr. A has resurfaced.

This is because a drug-positive reaction was detected in Mr. A's hair, which was sent to the National Forensic Service for a detailed appraisal as part of supplementary investigations.

Unlike urine tests, which have a limited window of about a week to detect drug use, hair analysis can trace usage back for up to a year.

Having caught him in the act, the police recently conducted a search and seizure at Mr. A's home and of his mobile phone, and are known to have secured related physical evidence.

The police stated, however, that they have not yet found evidence of fentanyl use and are currently investigating psychotropic medications previously prescribed to Mr. A.

It is understood that Mr. A has consistently denied the charges during previous questioning. The police plan to summon him again tomorrow (the 20th) for questioning before deciding whether to apply for an arrest warrant.

(Video Editing: Jung Yong-hwa, Design: Hwang Se-yeon, Footage Courtesy of Threads)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.