Yoo Ah-in appeals repeated drug abuse charges. Through a hearing held at the Seoul High Court on Wednesday October 30, 2024, the actor's attorney asked for a lighter sentence for his client. In the initial verdict, Yoo Ah-in was sentenced to one year in prison with a fine of 2 million won.
Yoo Ah-in's attorney also said that his client's actions were not an intentional crime or a form of exploiting a legal loophole, but rather a health condition. "Yoo Ah-in's dependence on tranquilizers arose from extreme physical and mental stress," Yoo Ah-in's attorney said, as reported by the Korea Times.
"Even before the investigation began, he had sought treatment for sleep disorders at a psychiatric clinic, where he experienced significant improvement," he said. Previously, Yoo Ah-in, who was initially sentenced on September 3, 2024, was already in court custody and was present at the appeal hearing.
However, he did not appear to provide any comments or defense at all. The Burning actor faces multiple charges, including multiple medical uses of propofol and illegally prescribing more than 1,100 sleeping pills under someone else's name.
On the other hand, he was also accused of smoking marijuana three times in the United States with an acquaintance identified only as Choi, in January 2024, and allegedly encouraging others to smoke too. In the previous trial, the Korean actor born in 1986 admitted to using marijuana.
However, he denied using other drugs because the drugs were prescribed for depression and panic disorder under medical supervision. A doctor who was present at the trial as a witness also testified that the prescription was issued at Yoo Ah-in's request.
However, the court dismissed the charge of evidence destruction due to insufficient evidence, prompting Yoo Ah-in's legal team and the prosecution to appeal. After filing an appeal, Yoo Ah-in's next trial is planned to be held on November 19, 2024.
Post a Comment