Actor Yoo Ah-in, Accused of Habitual Drug Use, Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison in First Trial... Detained in Court

Actor Yoo Ah-in (real name Eom Hong-sik, 38), who was indicted for habitual use of narcotics including propofol, was sentenced to one year in prison and detained in court in the first trial.

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The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon) on the 3rd sentenced Yoo, who was indicted without detention on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act (psychotropic substances), marijuana smoking and instigation, and evidence destruction instigation, to one year in prison and a fine of 2 million won. The court also ordered 80 hours of drug program completion and a confiscation of about 1.54 million won. Yoo appeared in court wearing a black suit that day.

The court criticized, “Yoo habitually used propofol and other drugs a total of 181 times from around September 2020 to January 2023, and habitually purchased Stilnox and others under another person's name from around May 2021 to August 2022. Considering the period, frequency, method, and quantity of the crimes, the nature of the crime is not good and there is considerable blame.”

It added, “Medical narcotics such as propofol are strictly controlled by related laws due to their dependency and addictive nature, but Yoo committed crimes by exploiting loopholes in the management methods stipulated by the relevant laws, which is a serious offense.”

The court judged, “Yoo already appears to have a very serious dependence on psychotropic drugs, so the risk of reoffending is also high. Doctors who treated Yoo since around 2021 explained the risks of excessive use of propofol and others and warned him, but he continued to commit crimes, which makes the situation even more serious.”

However, the court also stated, “Yoo has suffered from sleep disorders and depression for a long time, and the motive for habitual use and purchase of medical narcotics seems mainly due to the pain of not being able to sleep, which is a mitigating factor,” and “He confessed his dependence on drugs and appears to be trying to overcome it.”

Nonetheless, the court acquitted Yoo on charges of marijuana possession, marijuana smoking instigation, and evidence destruction instigation, citing insufficient evidence to recognize the charges.

Yoo’s acquaintance Choi (33), who was also indicted, was sentenced to eight months in prison with a two-year probation. He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of a drug program.

The court detained Yoo in court, stating, “Since a prison sentence was imposed on Yoo, there is a concern of flight.” Yoo expressed in court just before detention, “I am sorry for causing concern and worry to many people.”

Yoo was indicted last October on charges of habitual use of medical propofol and others 181 times under the pretext of sedation for cosmetic procedures at hospitals around Seoul from September 2020 to March 2022. The amount used was investigated as 9,635.7 ml of propofol, 567 mg of midazolam, 11.5 mg of ketamine, and 200 mg of remimazolam.

He is also charged with illegally obtaining and purchasing about 1,100 tablets of two types of sleeping pills 44 times under another person's name from May 2021 to August last year. He is also accused of smoking marijuana three times in the U.S. with Choi and others in January this year and instigating others to smoke.

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