▲ Cho Seong-hae, an executive at Galaxy Corp., speaks during a press conference in Seoul on Dec. 21, 2023, in this photo provided the company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ G-Dragon speaks during an event in Seoul on March 28, 2023. (Yonhap)
▲ G-Dragon arrives at the Nonhyeon Police Station in Incheon, 27 kilometers west of Seoul, for questioning, in this file photo taken Nov. 6, 2023. (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) G-Dragon-foundation

(2nd LD) G-Dragon to create foundation to fight drug abuse

(ATTN: ADDS photos, more details in paras 9-10)

By Woo Jae-yeon

SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- K-pop star G-Dragon will set up a foundation to fight against drug abuse, which has fast become an increasing problem in the country, his new agency said Thursday, a week after he was cleared of drug allegations.

The news was released during a press conference in Seoul hosted by the Galaxy Corp., the new agency representing the artist, who left YG Entertainment after more than two decades together.

"After difficult times recently, I was able to see things that I couldn't see before, which is there are nearly 20,000 people convicted of drug crimes each year, and among them, teens are accelerating dramatically," G-Dragon said in a handwritten letter read by a Galaxy executive. He did not attend the conference.

"I learned the heartbreaking news that fewer than 500 people have access to proper treatments in medical institutions," he said, adding the dismal situation made him believe it is time to act on the matter as a responsible member of society.

The details about the foundation are still sketchy, but the artist said he will team up with his agency to help build a social system for those in need and lacking resources, as well as to support young artists.

The agency also asked news outlets, bloggers and those who spread rumors and false information in connection with the drug allegations against G-Dragon to voluntarily take them down from the internet.

"We will give you one week, by midnight on Dec. 28, to correct them. We strongly urge you to delete or correct all content that harms Kwon Ji-yong's reputation," said Cho Seong-hae, an executive at the company, using the artist's real name.

"After the date, we will strongly respond with the principle of zero tolerance.

In October, suspicions were raised that the singer-songwriter abused drugs at a bar in southern Seoul last December. Police launched an investigation into the allegations but were unable to corroborate them. They closed the case earlier this month.

The agency stressed it will build a solid partnership with the K-pop icon, who plans to resume his music activities next year, to try new things and launch "never-seen-before" projects.

"We will complement each other to walk on the road not taken and show the side of Kwon Ji-yong that has not been shown before," Cho said.

He also expressed gratitude to YG Entertainment, which it said blessed G-Dragon's new beginning.

"Kwon Ji-yong would not have existed had it not been for YG Entertainment," he said. "We won't forget its hard work and continue the glorious time (it built and spent with G-Dragon)."

(END)

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