Variant Marijuana Inhalation, Hyundai 3rd Generation Jeong Hyun-seon Receives Suspended Sentence in Appeal Trial

1 Year Imprisonment, 2 Years Probation Same as First Trial
Court: "Habitual Drug Use, Bad Nature of Crime"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Jung Hyun-seon, the grandson of the late Chung Ju-yung, chairman of Hyundai Group, who was prosecuted for habitual inhalation of synthetic marijuana, was sentenced to a suspended prison term again in the appellate court.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Jun-young Jeong) on the morning of the 15th sentenced Jung, who was indicted for violating the Narcotics Control Act, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension, the same as the first trial. The prosecution's appeal was dismissed. The court stated, "The influence of the original judgment falls within the reasonable discretion." It added, "Although the defendant's crime is serious as it involves habitual drug use, we took into account that the defendant is a first-time offender, has been continuously receiving treatment, and is showing remorse," explaining the sentencing rationale. After the verdict, the court advised Jung, "The period of trial must have been a very important time in the defendant's life, but the two-year suspension period is even more important," and urged, "I hope you take this time as a valuable opportunity to compose your body and mind."

Jung was arrested and prosecuted for smoking liquid marijuana cartridges and marijuana 26 times at his home and elsewhere since 2018. He was released after receiving a suspended prison sentence in the first trial in September last year. At the previous sentencing hearing, the prosecution demanded a heavier sentence of one year and six months in prison, stating, "The reason drug offenses are not eradicated can be attributed to the court's lenient judgment."

Meanwhile, Choi Young-geun, a third-generation SK Group heir who was indicted for smoking marijuana together with Jung, was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year suspension, the same as the original judgment, at the second trial sentencing hearing held in December last year.

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