'Drug Smuggling' Hong Jung-wook's Daughter Receives Suspended Sentence in Second Trial... "Be Careful with Your Actions"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Hong Mo (20), daughter of former lawmaker Hong Jung-wook, who was indicted for using and smuggling drugs overseas, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the appellate court.

The Criminal Division 8 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Jeong Jong-gwan) held the appellate trial this morning for Hong, who was charged with violating the Narcotics Control Act (psychotropic substances) and other charges, and sentenced her to 2 years and 6 months in prison with a 3-year suspension, the same as the original sentence.

The court stated, "The defendant is still young and has no prior criminal record before this case. The drugs smuggled into the country do not appear to be for sale," and added, "It is difficult to see that the original sentencing exceeded a reasonable range."

The court further explained, "Although the defendant is the child of a celebrity, she should not receive leniency for that reason, nor is there a reason for heavier punishment," and said, "We judged her the same as others."

After the sentencing, the court advised Hong, "The defendant has previously resisted the temptation of drugs, and it seems that such temptation will continue in the future," and warned, "If there is a relapse, strict punishment will inevitably follow, so please be especially careful in your actions."

Hong was caught smuggling six liquid cannabis 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 in the United States and other places from February 2018 to September last year.

The first trial sentenced Hong to 2 years and 6 months in prison with a 3-year suspension. Both the prosecution and Hong appealed the first trial verdict, but the defense withdrew the appeal at the first appellate trial on the 10th, concluding the arguments.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.