On December 24, the Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 5 (Chief Judges Kwon Soon-hyung, Ahn Seung-hoon, Shim Seung-woo) held the final appeal hearing for Yoo Ah-in, who was indicted for violating the Narcotics Control Act (psychotropic drugs) and other charges.
The prosecution reiterated its stance “Our position remains the same as the first trial” and requested a four-year prison sentence, as it had in the initial trial.
Yoo Ah-in was indicted without detention in October 2023 for habitual propofol use, illegal prescription purchases of sleeping pills under another person’s name, marijuana use, and instigating evidence tampering. According to the prosecution, between September 2020 and March 2022, he received 181 habitual doses of medical propofol at hospitals across Seoul and was illegally prescribed sleeping pills under another person’s name 44 times from May 2021 to August 2022.
In September, Yoo Ah-in was sentenced to one year in prison during his first trial and was taken into custody. The court found Yoo Ah-in guilty of habitual marijuana smoking, habitual use of narcotics and purchasing medical narcotics under others’ names. However, charges of receiving marijuana, inciting marijuana use and attempting to destroy evidence were acquitted.
The prosecution appealed, arguing that the crimes were severe and that the initial sentence was far below the requested four years. Yoo Ah-in’s side also appealed the first verdict. Yoo Ah-in submitted letters of remorse on October 22 and November 12.
During the second appeal hearing on November 19, Yoo Ah-in’s side pleaded for leniency, citing the loss of his father in August. They stated, “The defendant has endured the pain of losing his father in connection with this case, feeling guilt that his actions worsened his father’s condition, ultimately leading to his passing.” Yoo Ah-in’s father passed away on August 8.
Yoo Ah-in’s side also emphasized that this was his first offense, highlighting his philanthropic activities, such as donating his earnings to vulnerable groups. They argued that despite his wrongdoings and the disappointment caused to the public, Yoo Ah-in has made positive contributions to society and asked the court to consider these efforts when determining his sentence.
