'Suwon zombie drug' video man tests negative in detailed forensic exam

By Jung Joo-won, The Herald Business

A man in his 30s who appeared in a viral social media video dubbed the "Suwon zombie drug" clip has tested negative for narcotics in a detailed examination by the National Forensic Service (NFS). The man, who had been arrested on an emergency basis, showed no trace of drugs in either the preliminary or the follow-up forensic analysis.

According to police and Yonhap News Agency, the Suwon Gwonseon Police Station submitted a urine sample from the man, identified only as A, to the NFS after releasing him following his emergency arrest on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. The detailed analysis found no methamphetamine, fentanyl or other controlled substances.

Police are investigating why A returned a positive result for methamphetamine on a rapid field test, while also sending a hair sample to the NFS for an additional detailed analysis.

Investigators plan to wrap up the case after reviewing the hair sample results. No evidence directly linking A to drug use has emerged so far in the investigation.

The case began after a video spread across social media and online communities showing a man on a street in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon, bent deeply at the waist with his arms hanging limp, remaining motionless for an extended period. Some users speculated that the man had taken fentanyl or another so-called "zombie drug."

Police identified A as the person in the video and arrested him on an emergency basis on June 23 after a rapid field test came back positive for methamphetamine. He was released the following day, however, after the NFS's preliminary examination returned a negative result, and the investigation has continued without his detention.

"We are looking into various aspects of the case, including why the rapid test showed a positive result for methamphetamine," a police official said.