Charges of "hospital bill embezzlement" against the former manager of late actress Kim Sae Ron, Mr. K, have been dropped with police stating there was not enough evidence to proceed.

On Aug. 25, Hankyung.com reported that Mr. K was informed on Aug. 21 by the National Office of Investigation that charges related to violations of the Medical Service Act, the Personal Information Protection Act, and obstruction of business were withdrawn.

The investigation was initiated in June following a report submitted by broadcaster Kwon Young Chan in the interest of Kim's family for "public interest purposes.

At the time, medical records were questioned by Kwon. "On March 14, one month after Kim Sae Ron's death, an outpatient record under her name appeared in the hospital chart," he explained.

"Such information should not have been accessible to anyone outside of her immediate family,"Kwon also raised questions about billing discrepancies.

"Last year in November, Kim Sae Ron's wrist operation was charged 5.4 million KRW($3,900), but the charge was then canceled and re-billed for 4.98 million KRW($3,600)," he explained, claiming potential embezzlement.

Mr. K denied foul play in reply. The surgery ran close to 5 million KRW($3,600) because Kim Sae Ron wasn't insured.

She herself explained the hospital fee was close to 5 million KRW ($3,600), and other than paying on the spot at the hospital, there was nothing unusual," he explained.

One of Kim Sae Ron's former agency staff members defended Mr. K, placing things into context.
"While Mr. K resigned last December, he really cared about Kim Sae Ron. The accusations of embezzlement or making her drink are not true. He even arranged meals for her, and there was no problem with the 5 million KRW ($3,600) hospital fee," a staff member expressed.

A representative of the hospital also denied the broadcast accusations.
"We have checked the broadcast by Kwon Young Chan, but the medical record and re-billing claims alleged are unfounded. Although the allegations have not yet been confirmed formally, we will take necessary actions once they are confirmed," the representative said to SBS Entertainment News.

At the same time, Mr. K sued Kwon on June 19 for defamation and insult based on the Information and Communications Network Act. The case is still under investigation.

Kwon subsequently explained that he was speaking in response to questions asked of him and Mr. K, late manager of Kim Sae Ron, during the broadcast.