Korean Actor Found Guilty of Administering 4.4 Liters of Sedatives During Performance

A famous South Korean actor is likely to serve a prison sentence.

 

On September 3rd, the Seoul Central District Court handed down a guilty verdict to actor Yoo Ah-in (37) for violations of drug management laws and charges of evidence tampering, sentencing him to one year in prison and a fine of 2 million won (approximately 218,000 yen). Given the risk of flight, he has been taken into custody.

 

 

“Defendant Yoo is reported to have used highly addictive substances such as propofol and cannabis for over a year. It is also alleged that he illegally purchased sleeping pills under someone else’s name. In court, Yoo acknowledged his drug use but pleaded for consideration of his deep remorse” (Korean newspaper reporter).

“FRIDAY Digital” covered Yoo’s allegations of habitual drug use in detail in an article published on March 6 of last year. The article revisits his alarming behavior, such as sweating profusely during television appearances, and has been reprinted with some content revisions.

 

Positive result in a urine test

The sedatives prescribed at hospitals over the course of a year amounted to over 4.4 liters.

South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in is undergoing intense police interrogation for excessive drug use. The Food and Drug Safety Authority raised concerns about the frequent prescriptions Yoo received for the sedative propofol and requested an investigation by the police.

“Upon receiving the request, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Drug Crime Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at Incheon International Airport on February 5 of last year, after Yoo returned from the United States. A preliminary urine test showed a positive result for tetrahydrocannabinol, the main component of cannabis.

Further investigation by the National Forensic Service of hair samples revealed not only cannabis but also four other drug components: propofol, cocaine, and ketamine. The police believe Yoo was using drugs regularly and continued their investigation.” (Korean newspaper reporter)