Actor Yoo Ah-in appeals ruling over drug use

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Actor Yoo Ah-in appeals ruling over drug use

Published: 29 Oct. 2024, 17:43

Actor Yoo Ah-in attends a court ruling at Seoul Central District Court, Seocho District, southern Seoul on Sept. 3. [NEWS1]

Actor Yoo Ah-in appealed the ruling that sentenced him to one year in prison for the habitual use of illegal drugs on Tuesday. His legal team argues that he did not maliciously violate the law.

The 38-year-old actor, whose real name is Uhm Hong-sik, faces allegations of repeatedly abusing medical propofol under the guise of cosmetic procedures at various clinics in Seoul between September 2020 and March 2022. Other drugs involved include midazolam, ketamine and remimazolam. On Sep. 3, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoo to one year in prison for violating the Narcotics Control Act after an 11-month trial.

Yoo's legal team contends that the original sentence was excessive and unjust.

“Yoo did not exploit loopholes in drug laws," Yoo's attorney said during the appeal hearing at the Seoul High Court on Tuesday. "His actions stemmed from an addiction developed amid physical and mental struggles."

“Before the investigation began, Yoo had been attempting to address his addiction independently by consulting a psychiatrist to find healthier solutions for his sleep disorder,” the defense added. “He had experienced some improvement by reducing his reliance on anesthesia.”

Yoo was present at the hearing but made no additional comments.

Prosecutors had previously sought arrest warrants for Yoo twice, in May and September of last year. Both requests were denied by the court, leading to Yoo being tried without detention.

The court has scheduled another hearing on Nov. 19 to hear additional arguments.

BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [yoon.seungjin@joongang.co.kr]