Image source, Getty Images Image caption,

South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun

By Kelly Ng & Jake Kwon

in Singapore and Seoul

South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in Oscar-winning film Parasite, has been found dead, say local media outlets quoting police.

The 48-year-old was found unconscious in a car at a park in central Seoul on Wednesday, according to reports.

Charcoal briquette was reportedly found next to him in the passenger seat.

It is unclear if Lee had taken his own life, but police had received a report that Lee left home after writing a memo, the news agency said.

He had recently been under police investigation for alleged drug use - with a Yonhap report saying he was suspected of taking drugs with a female bar employee.

Lee claimed that he had taken substances given to him by the hostess but said he did not know that they were illicit drugs.

Yonhap added that the hostess had reportedly told the police that he used drugs at her home multiple times - something he has denied. He had earlier requested through his lawyer to take a lie detector test.