The Seoul Seocho Police Station / Korea Times file

The son of a ruling party lawmaker is under police investigation for allegedly trying to obtain marijuana in a residential area.

The Seoul Seocho Police Station said Friday that a 30-year-old man, who was found to be the son of a lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party, was charged but not held in custody for attempted marijuana acquisition.

He is accused of attempting to retrieve marijuana hidden in a garden at a building in Seocho District in southern Seoul with two acquaintances in October last year.

This is a common method of drug transaction here, where drugs are concealed in a specific location to be collected by the purchaser later on.

Police received a report that "suspicious people seem to be looking for drugs" and found liquid hemp in a 10-milliliter container at the location.

After analyzing CCTV footage, the police tracked down the individuals spotted at the scene and arrested the man and his associates.

During the investigation, the man confessed, "I went to the scene to receive marijuana from an acquaintance, but I couldn't find it."

Although the man tested negative in a rapid drug test, he has a prior record of punishment for drug use.

Police are investigating whether the suspect has any additional charges.

"We have identified the suspect and are currently investigating. It is difficult to confirm the details of the investigation," police said.