SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in, known for his versatile roles in film and television, was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of drug abuse in a first-instance trial on September 3. The court also fined him 2 million KRW (approximately 1,600 USD), and he was immediately taken into custody.
The Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 25 handed down the sentence after hearing the case against Yoo, whose real name is Yoo Hong-jib. The actor is accused of having illegally injected propofol, a sedative used for anesthesia in plastic surgery, 181 times between September 2020 and March 2022 at various hospitals in Seoul. Additionally, he allegedly obtained around 1,100 sleeping pills by using someone else’s name 44 times between May 2021 and August of last year. Yoo is also accused of smoking marijuana in the United States in January of last year and enticing others to use the drug.
The Charges and Legal Proceedings
The prosecution had charged Yoo with violating the Narcotics Control Act, smoking and enticing others to smoke marijuana, and destroying evidence. They also accused him of conspiring with others to help a co-defendant flee overseas and of persuading another co-defendant to change their testimony.
During the trial, Yoo’s defense team argued that the actor had developed a dependency on medical drugs due to his depression. Yoo himself had testified that he had become dependent on propofol after using it for medical procedures and that he had used marijuana to relieve stress.
The判决 and Immediate Arrest
Judge Lee Eun-kyung presided over the case and found Yoo guilty on all counts. The court decided that the actor’s actions warranted a prison sentence and the immediate execution of the sentence. Yoo was taken into custody right after the verdict was announced, marking a significant turn in his career and personal life.
Previous Legal Issues
This is not the first time Yoo has faced legal trouble. He was previously investigated for sexual assault of a minor and was accused of raping a male student in 2016. However, the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence. Yoo’s recent drug scandal has tarnished his reputation and casting agencies have distanced themselves from him.
Impact on Career
Yoo Ah-in has been a prominent figure in South Korean entertainment, with roles in critically acclaimed films such as Burning (2018) and The Handmaiden (2016). He has also been a part of popular TV dramas like I Can Hear Your Voice (2013) and Walter (2019). His conviction is expected to have a significant impact on his career, potentially leading to a ban from future roles and projects.
Public Reaction
The news of Yoo’s conviction has sparked mixed reactions among the public. While some express disappointment and regret over the actor’s fall from grace, others question the severity of the sentence and the handling of the case by the legal system.
Conclusion
Yoo Ah-in’s case highlights the ongoing struggle against drug abuse in South Korea and the tough stance taken by the courts to combat this issue. With his conviction, the actor joins a growing list of celebrities who have faced legal consequences for their actions. The immediate arrest after the verdict serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of the charges and the consequences of drug abuse.
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