‘Parasite’ Star Lee Sun-kyun Begged Police Not To Publicly Reveal Drug Probe

‘Parasite’ star Lee Sun-kyun had begged police not to publicly announce he was under investigation for using illegal drugs … 4 days before his apparent suicide.

Police officials confirmed Thursday that Sun-kyun’s lawyer requested cops to close the latest questioning round to the press on Saturday … but they declined.

A day before Sun-kyun’s body was found, his lawyer added the actor was hopeful any future interrogation would be in private … explaining he felt burdened discussing the allegations in a public setting as the media coverage had been intense.

While the Incheon Metropolitan Police Chief, Kim Hui-jung, expressed deep regret over Sun-kyun’s passing … he stuck by their tough line of questioning — adding it had been done with his consent.

As we reported, the South Korean actor was found dead, aged 48, in his car Wednesday in the capital city of Seoul … after his manager reported him missing to the police.

He was under investigation for a drug blackmail plot … accused of using marijuana and other substances at the home of a hostess from the local bar — though he claimed she deceived him into taking the drugs and tried to blackmail him.

He was last questioned by police on Dec 23 … and was detained for 19 hours before being released.

Two suspects – a man and a woman – were arrested in connection with the narcotics investigation … and a day before Lee was found dead, he requested through his attorney that police administer a lie detector test to him and the two others.