Nam Kyung-pil says, "My model student son first tried drugs in the basement of an American principal's house... Don't send your children abroad for early study," offering advice

[Financial News] Nam Kyung-pil, former Governor of Gyeonggi Province, spoke candidly about his eldest son's drug case and advised parents not to send their children abroad for early study.
On the 15th, a video titled "It's not something you can do" Nam Kyung-pil's moment of meeting God was uploaded to the YouTube channel 'Lee Sung-mi's Can't Go'.
In the video, the former governor recounted the full story behind his eldest son's drug case.
Nam said, "My son first tried drugs when he was 17. During his studies in the United States, he was recommended to attend a Christian school and stayed with the principal's family as a homestay student," adding, "One day, neighborhood friends came down to the basement of that house and handed him marijuana. That house opened the path to drugs."
He said, "Drugs are like an infectious disease. The more people around our children who use drugs, the greater the chance that our children will be exposed to them," and added, "It is not someone else's problem. I also thought my child and I would be fine."
He went on to say, "My eldest son was a diligent student who attended church and mission schools," and "At his elementary school graduation, he said he wanted to become a pastor. He also studied well and was admitted to Tsinghua University, one of China's most prestigious universities."
He emphasized, "Drug use by a child can happen to anyone, and by the time parents realize it, it is already too late," adding, "These days, I keep telling people this wherever I go: if possible, do not send your children abroad for early study. Haven't I experienced this myself?"
Meanwhile, Nam's eldest son was arrested on charges of smoking marijuana in July 2022 and using methamphetamine 16 times from August that year through March 30, 2023, in an apartment in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and elsewhere.
In 2023, it was reported that Nam himself called the police after witnessing his son's unusual behavior.
During the trial, Nam submitted a petition to the court asking for a swift ruling.
At his eldest son's appeals trial, he said, "He can only receive treatment and custody after the sentence is finalized. That is why we gave up the appeal after the first trial ruling," adding, "Our family's only wish is for our son to receive treatment and rehabilitation. Please help the court so that treatment can begin within this year."
Nam's eldest son was sentenced to two years and six months in prison and was released last October after completing his term.
After retiring from politics, Nam founded and is now active in NGU, a drug prevention and recovery group, Never Give Up.
[email protected] Kim Soo-yeon Reporter