Actor Yoo Ah-in (real name Eom Hong-sik, 39) has been released from the detention center after receiving a suspended sentence in his appeal trial for drug use charges.
On the afternoon of the 18th, the 5th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Kwon Soon-hyung, An Seung-hoon, Sim Seung-woo) sentenced Yoo Ah-in to 1 year in prison with a 2-year probation for violating the Narcotics Control Act. He was also ordered to pay a fine of 2 million won, complete 80 hours of drug rehabilitation education, and pay a forfeiture of 1.54 million won. This is a significant reduction compared to the 4-year prison term sought by the prosecution.
Previously, Yoo Ah-in was sentenced to 1 year in prison and a fine of 2 million won in the first trial last September and was taken into custody. He was released from the detention center after receiving a suspended sentence in the second trial.
Yoo Ah-in is accused of using four types of medical narcotics—propofol, midazolam, ketamine, and remimazolam—181 times from September 2020 to March 2022. He is also accused of illegally obtaining over 1,100 sleeping pills through 44 prescriptions under another person's name from May 2021 to August 2023.
In particular, Yoo Ah-in, along with four accomplices including Choi Mo, is also accused of smoking marijuana in the United States and instructing YouTuber Hairmon, who witnessed the act, to smoke.
Yoo Ah-in, who was taken into custody in the first trial, has continuously expressed his remorse, and it seems that the court decided to reduce his sentence considering his remorse and the fact that this is his first offense.
Meanwhile, following the appeal ruling on this day, Yoo Ah-in was immediately released from the detention center. However, there has been no word yet on his return to the entertainment industry.
[Kim Seung-hye, MK Sports Reporter]
