SHINee's Onew and the so-called "Injection Aunt" [Onew's Instagram]
SHINee's Onew and the so-called "Injection Aunt" [Onew's Instagram]

SHINee member Onew has spoken out after being questioned by police over his alleged connection to the so-called "Injection Aunt," a woman suspected of performing illegal medical procedures on celebrities.

Onew's agency, Griffin Entertainment, said Wednesday that Onew had visited a clinic in the past through a personal referral and received skin care treatment there. "At the time, Onew recognized the individual as a doctor or a medical professional affiliated with the clinic, and there were no circumstances that would have led him to doubt the legitimacy of her medical license or procedures," the agency said.

The agency added that Onew had been questioned once in May and gave a truthful account of the facts, cooperating fully with investigators.

"As the investigation is ongoing, we hope that unverified speculation or information inconsistent with the facts does not spread," the agency said, adding that it would continue to do its utmost to protect the rights and interests of its artists.

Earlier Wednesday, police said the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul had summoned and questioned broadcaster Park Na-rae, broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo, SHINee members Key and Onew, and YouTuber Ipjjalbeun Haetnim between May and July as part of its probe into the allegations against the woman, surnamed Lee, known as the "Injection Aunt."

Investigators pressed each of them on whether they knew Lee was not a licensed medical professional.

Lee is accused of performing illegal medical procedures — including administering intravenous drips and prescribing antidepressants — on Park and others at an officetel and in a vehicle, despite holding no medical license in South Korea.

Under current law, anyone who performs medical procedures without a license or qualification is subject to criminal punishment. Those who received the procedures could also face charges as accomplices if they knowingly sought out the unlicensed services.

Park, Key and Ipjjalbeun Haetnim have each previously acknowledged receiving treatment from Lee, but all claimed they believed she was a licensed doctor.


paq@heraldcorp.com