Hong Jung-wook's Daughter 'Drug Smuggling' Trial, Appeal Verdict Today

Hong Mo, daughter of former lawmaker Hong Jung-wook, who was indicted overseas for drug use and smuggling and received a suspended prison sentence in the first trial
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The appellate trial sentencing hearing for Hong Mo (20), the daughter of former lawmaker Hong Jung-wook, who was indicted for using and smuggling drugs overseas and received a suspended prison sentence in the first trial, will be held on the 26th.

The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 8 (Chief Judge Jeong Jong-gwan) will hold the appellate sentencing hearing at 10:30 a.m. on the same day for Hong, who was indicted for violating the Narcotics Control Act (psychotropic substances) and other charges. Hong was caught smuggling six liquid marijuana cartridges, a variant drug, and LSD (paper-type drug) while undergoing immigration inspection at Incheon International Airport on September 27 last year and was indicted without detention. She was also prosecuted for purchasing narcotics three times and using or smoking them nine times from February 2018 to September last year in the United States and other places.

The first trial sentenced Hong to 2 years and 6 months in prison with a 3-year suspension. Both the prosecution and Hong appealed, but Hong's side expressed their intention to withdraw the appeal at the first appellate trial on the 10th, and the sentencing procedure proceeded immediately. The prosecution requested a 5-year prison sentence without distinguishing between long-term and short-term sentences, considering that Hong is an adult. In the final defense, Hong's lawyer pleaded for leniency, stating, "She left her parents at the age of 14 to study abroad alone and purchased a small amount of drugs out of curiosity and to momentarily forget her depression, using them personally."

If the second trial court accepts the prosecution's request and sentences her to actual imprisonment, there is a possibility that Hong will be detained in court.

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