'Drug Charges Five Days After Release' Nam Kyung-pil's Eldest Son Sentenced to 2 Years and 6 Months in Prison

Court: "Severe Drug Addiction... Treatment Detention Needed"

The eldest son of former Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil, who was arrested on suspicion of methamphetamine use and released after the court dismissed the arrest warrant, was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison in the first trial for using drugs again just five days after his release.

The Criminal Division 15 of Suwon District Court (Chief Judge Lee Jung-jae) handed down the sentence on the 14th to Mr. Nam, who was indicted while in custody for violating the Narcotics Control Act. He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of drug treatment lectures and undergo treatment custody.

[Photo by Yonhap News]

Treatment custody is a protective disposition where individuals who pose a risk of reoffending and require special education, improvement, and treatment are confined in a treatment custody facility for up to two years for treatment.

The court stated, "The defendant surrendered after the crime and received treatment at several hospitals to quit drugs, but continued to use drugs during the investigation and purchased and used methamphetamine immediately after discharge. Considering the repeated drug use and purchase within a short period, it is recognized that treatment custody is necessary due to the severe state of drug addiction."

It added, "The defendant committed the crime again despite having been given a suspended sentence for a similar offense. However, the sentence was determined taking into account the defendant’s admission of guilt and remorse, the fact that he did not sell or distribute drugs to third parties, and the family’s intention to guide him."

Mr. Nam was indicted for inhaling marijuana around July last year and using methamphetamine 16 times from August last year to March 30 this year at an apartment in Bundang-gu, Seongnam City. In November last year, he was also charged with inhaling fentanyl, known as the so-called 'zombie drug.' Fentanyl is a synthetic narcotic used as a painkiller for terminal cancer patients and others.

On March 23 this year, Mr. Nam was caught in the act by police who responded to a family report after he used methamphetamine at an apartment in Yongin City. He was released on March 25 after the court dismissed the arrest warrant. However, five days after the warrant dismissal, on March 30, he failed to respond to police investigation and used methamphetamine multiple times again. He was arrested by police who responded to another family report and was detained in April.

Former Governor Nam Kyung-pil said immediately after the sentencing, "I respect the court’s judgment," and added, "Since treatment custody was sentenced, I hope he receives sufficient treatment and returns to society in good health."

Earlier, the prosecution requested a 5-year prison sentence for Mr. Nam during the closing arguments.

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