Actor Yoo Ah-in Released After Reduced Sentence for Drug Charges

Yoo Ah-in (유아인), a 39-year-old actor whose real name is Eom Hong-sik, has been released from prison after receiving a suspended sentence in a second trial concerning drug-related charges. On February 18, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 5, presided over by Judge Kwon Soon-hyung, sentenced him to one year in prison, suspended for two years, along with a fine of 2 million won. Additionally, he was ordered to pay approximately 1.5 million won in forfeiture, complete 80 hours of community service, and undergo 40 hours of drug rehabilitation education. Yoo had been incarcerated for about five months following a first trial in September 2023, where he was sentenced to one year in prison due to concerns about potential flight risk.

Dressed in a blue prison uniform, Yoo appeared in court with his head bowed as he listened to the verdict. The court acknowledged that while Yoo exploited loopholes in the management of controlled substances, which are strictly regulated due to their addictive nature, he had spent five months in detention reflecting on his actions. The court concluded that the initial sentence was excessively harsh given the circumstances surrounding his offenses.

From September 2020 to January 2023, Yoo was accused of using medical narcotics under the pretense of undergoing cosmetic procedures, totaling 181 instances. Furthermore, between May 2021 and August 2022, he illegally obtained over 1,100 sleeping pills by having prescriptions issued in another person's name on 45 occasions. He was indicted without detention in October 2023.