A former police officer in his 30s was sentenced to 1 year and 2 months in prison, suspended for 2 years, for leaking confidential investigation information related to the late actor Lee Sun-kyun.

The ruling was delivered on December 17, 2025, by the Incheon District Court.

The officer was convicted of violating official secrecy laws after leaking sensitive police investigation materials.

He also received:

80 hours of community service, and

Prior to sentencing, had already been dismissed from the police force, ending a 10-year career.


The leaked materials included:

– Real names of investigation targets,

– Criminal records,

– Personal background details such as occupation and status.


These documents were originally created by the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency’s Narcotics Investigation Unit in October 2023.

The information was first passed to two journalists, including a reporter (also in his 30s) identified as B.

Journalist B was later fined 5 million KRW for passing the confidential information to another reporter.

The leaked information appeared in media reports under headlines such as “Top Star L Under Drug Investigation”, triggering public shock.

An entertainment outlet later published edited images of the leaked police report one day after Lee Sun-kyun’s death.

The court acknowledged:

The serious breach of public trust,

But also noted that the leak did not materially obstruct the investigation.


Mitigating factors included:

– Both defendants admitted wrongdoing,

– They had already faced professional disciplinary action, and

– Multiple individuals submitted petitions for leniency.


Prosecutors had originally sought harsher sentences:

3 years in prison for the former officer,

6 months in prison for the journalist.


Lee Sun-kyun was formally investigated in October 2023, questioned by police three times over two months, and was found deceased on December 26, 2023, four days after his final police interview.

The case has reignited public debate over:

Media ethics,

Police accountability, and

The devastating consequences of leaks during high-profile investigations.

Article: https://m.mk.co.kr/news/society/11494656