SEOUL - Rapper T.O.P of popular South Korean boyband BigBang has been arrested for smoking marijuana in October last year, the police said on Thursday (June 1).

The 29-year-old tested positive for marijuana use, the Seoul police were quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency. It was not confirmed whether he was a habitual marijuana user, said the report. The police said they had sent the case to the prosecution.

Since Feb 9, he has been doing his military service in the band unit of the Seoul National Police Agency, said The Korea Herald.

T.O.P's agency YG Entertainment said in a statement: "It is true that T.O.P smoked marijuana before the enlistment and we sincerely apologise for the outcome. The rapper has undergone a full police investigation, and is regretting his wrongdoing."

Under South Korean law, marijuana use is punishable by up to five years in jail or a fine of up to 50 million won (S$61,760).