Yoo Ah-in's Drug Case Heads to Supreme Court After Suspended Sentence

Yoo Ah-in (유아인), who was previously sentenced to a suspended prison term in an appeals court for habitual drug use, is now taking his case to the Supreme Court. On February 20, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office filed an appeal against the appellate court's decision that granted Yoo a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with a fine of 2 million won. This ruling was made by the 5th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court on February 18, which found Yoo guilty of violating the Narcotics Control Act, smoking marijuana, and attempting to destroy evidence. The court noted that Yoo had suffered from long-term health issues and depression, which contributed to his actions. They acknowledged that he has made significant progress in overcoming his drug dependency and expressed a commitment to avoid reoffending. The court also considered his five months of detention and lack of prior offenses, stating that the original sentence was excessively harsh. Following this decision, Yoo was released from the Seoul Detention Center after five months in custody. Yoo Ah-in was charged last October for repeatedly using medical propofol under the guise of cosmetic procedures at hospitals in Seoul from September 2020 to March 2022, totaling 181 instances. In his final statement during the second trial in December, he expressed deep regret for disappointing his colleagues and supporters, acknowledging the pain he caused. He stated, 'I still struggle with shame and guilt, but I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect and will do my utmost to correct my mistakes. I ask for a chance to demonstrate my commitment to learning and living a new life.'