T.O.P stripped of police post after conviction for smoking marijuana
SEOUL: Singer T.O.P of Big Bang has been defrocked as a conscripted policeman after receiving a suspended prison term for smoking marijuana.
The review committee on reenlistment of the convicted at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency reached the decision not to allow the 29-year-old rapper to continue his police duties, which he had been serving as an alternative to mandatory military service.
Korean law stipulates that all able-bodied men are to serve in the military for 21 to 24 months, depending on their branch or service. The government recently announced plans to shorten the minimum service period to 18 months.
The Big Bang member, whose real name is Choi Seun-hyun, was found guilty of smoking marijuana four times last year. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years.
Upon his indictment, he was removed from his current post in accordance to regulations and was subjected to a disciplinary review after the July 20 sentence.
Police are to request the military to reassign Choi to another post. If the military approves, he will finish his service as either a non-combat public service worker or as part of the full-time reserve force.
Choi had started his service at Gangnam Police Station in Seoul in February.