SEOUL, South Korea (Yonhap) — South Korean actor Liu Yaren, whose real name is Yan Hongzhi, has been sentenced to one year in prison and fined 20 million South Korean won (approximately 160,000 yuan) in the first instance of his drug use case, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency on September 3.
The Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 25 bench made the aforementioned judgment on the same day. Liu Yaren was accused of injecting propofol 181 times at various hospitals in Seoul under the guise of cosmetic surgery anesthesia from September 2020 to March 2022. He also allegedly obtained approximately 1,100 sleeping pills by impersonating others from May 2021 to last August, and he was also suspected of smoking marijuana in the United States last January, as well as encouraging others to do so.
The prosecution had charged Liu Yaren with violating the Narcotics Control Act, smoking and encouraging others to smoke marijuana, destroying evidence, and conspiring with others to assist in the escape of accomplices overseas, as well as persuading another accomplice to recant.
On September 3, Liu Yaren appeared in court in Seoulo’s Seocho District, where the Seoul Central District Court is located.
According to the report, the court found that Liu Yaren had committed the above crimes and ruled that he was guilty. The court also pointed out that Liu Yaren’s drug use had caused harm to society and had a negative impact on the image of the entertainment industry.
In addition, the court noted that Liu Yaren had expressed remorse and admitted his guilt during the trial, which could be taken into account when determining the penalty.
The case of Liu Yaren’s drug use has attracted widespread attention in South Korea. Many people have expressed their concern about the influence of drug use on the entertainment industry and the damage it can cause to society. Some people have called for stricter regulations and more effective measures to prevent drug use in the entertainment industry.
In response to the case, the South Korean government has vowed to strengthen the regulation of the entertainment industry and take measures to prevent drug use. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also launched a campaign to promote drug prevention and education in the entertainment industry.
Liu Yaren’s case serves as a reminder that drug use is a serious crime that can cause serious harm to individuals and society. It is hoped that the case can promote the prevention and education of drug use and contribute to the creation of a healthy and positive entertainment environment.
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