On September 3rd, South Korean actor Yoo Ah-In was sentenced to one year in prison and fined 2 million KRW (approximately $1,500 USD) for violating the Narcotics Control Act and related charges. The sentencing was delivered by the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 25, under Chief Judge Ji Gwi-yeon. Yoo Ah-In was immediately taken into custody following the sentencing.

The Charges and Sentencing

Yoo Ah-In faced multiple charges, including the illegal administration of medical propofol 181 times between September 2020 and March 2022 and the illegal acquisition of over 1,100 sleeping pills under a false name 44 times between May 2021 and August 2022. Additionally, he was accused of smoking marijuana with his accomplice Mr. Choi and three other acquaintances, encouraging others to smoke, and attempting to destroy evidence.

Mr. Choi, Yoo’s accomplice, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete a 40-hour drug rehabilitation program.

The court ordered Yoo Ah-In to complete an 80-hour drug rehabilitation program and imposed a forfeiture of approximately 1.5 million KRW. The court justified its decision, stating:

“Given the duration, frequency, method, and quantity of the offenses, a severe punishment is unavoidable. The defendant exploited loopholes in the regulations governing medical narcotics, which makes the nature of the crime particularly egregious. Based on various circumstances in the records, it appears that the defendant has a serious dependency on psychotropic substances, which suggests a high risk of reoffending.”

Court’s Rationale and Yoo Ah-In’s Response

The court noted that Yoo Ah-In had been warned by medical professionals about the dangers of excessive propofol use as early as 2021, but he continued his criminal activities. This demonstrated a lack of awareness regarding the severity of drug-related issues, especially when combined with his use of marijuana. However, the court did consider several mitigating factors, including Yoo’s candid admission of his drug dependency, his ongoing efforts to address the issue, the absence of similar previous offenses, and his clean criminal record.

Upon hearing the sentence, Yoo Ah-In, who had remained silent during media questioning upon entering the courtroom, bowed his head and expressed remorse:

“I apologize for causing concern and worry to many people.”

Prosecution’s Stance and Yoo Ah-In’s Defense

During the final trial on July 24th, the prosecution sought a four-year prison sentence, a fine of 2 million KRW, and a forfeiture of 1.54 million KRW for Yoo Ah-In. The prosecution argued that as a famous actor, Yoo Ah-In held significant influence in the film industry and social issues. They claimed that his actions represented a severe breach of trust, stating:

“As a famous actor, Yoo Ah-In has not only been influential in the film industry but has also made impactful statements on social issues. He had a social responsibility but instead used his influence to cover up his crimes, which is a severe breach of trust.”

Yoo Ah-In admitted to the drug-related charges but strongly denied allegations of encouraging others to smoke and attempting to destroy evidence. His lawyer argued that the types and amounts of anesthetics used during the procedures were determined by the doctors and that Yoo had no involvement in that process. The lawyer also highlighted Yoo’s long-standing struggles with depression, anxiety disorders, and severe sleep disturbances due to his irregular lifestyle as an actor. Yoo’s psychiatrist had even recommended hospitalization.

Yoo Ah-In’s Final Statement

In his final statement, Yoo Ah-In expressed deep remorse:

“I deeply regret and sincerely apologize for my actions. I want to apologize to my family, colleagues, and fans who have been hurt and affected by my wrongdoing.”

Reflecting on the impact of the case on his life, Yoo said:

“This incident has given me the opportunity to reevaluate my entire life. Although this situation is unfortunate, I am determined to live as a more mature and responsible person. I am grateful to those who have guided me with tough love, and I once again apologize to everyone who has been disappointed, hurt, or affected by my actions. Regardless of the outcome, I promise to repay the trust of those who have supported me and to contribute positively to society in the future.”

Additional Allegations

In a related development, Yoo Ah-In was also questioned by the police on August 28th for allegations of sexually assaulting a man, identified as Mr. A, while he was asleep at an officetel in Yongsan District, Seoul. Yoo’s lawyer has denied the allegations, stating:

“Upon confirming with Yoo, he stated that the claims are not true.”

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