Yoo Ah In Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Habitual Drug Use

South Korean actor Yoo Ah In, 37, has been sentenced to one year in prison in a narcotics case and was detained in the courtroom following a trial.

Yoo Ah In has been sentenced to one year in prison, fined 2 million won, and ordered to complete 80 hours of drug rehabilitation education and pay an additional fine of 1.54 million won. This follows a trial where he was found guilty of violating the Narcotics Control Act.

Choi, an accomplice, received an 8-month prison sentence, 2 years of probation, and was ordered to complete 40 hours of drug rehabilitation education. Choi has 7 days to appeal the decision made by the court. Yoo Ah In, currently in custody, will remain so during any potential appeal process. 

Before his arrest, the court asked if he had any final statements, to which Yoo Ah In responded softly, ‘I apologize for causing concern and worry.’

The 37-year-old actor faces allegations of administering certain controlled substances, including propofol, midazolam, ketamine, and remimazolam, on multiple occasions between September 2020 and March 2023. 

Additionally, he is accused of illegally obtaining sleeping pills under false names and smoking marijuana in the United States with others.

In the final trial held in July, the prosecution requested a four-year prison sentence, a fine of 2 million won, and an additional 1.54 million won in surcharges. They argued that Yoo Ah In, as a public figure, had a significant social responsibility but abused his influence to cover up his crimes.  

Six doctors who overprescribed psychotropic drugs to Yoo Ah In were also brought to trial, with all six receiving fines or suspended prison sentences in the first trial and later appealed.

Yoo Ah In faces an additional allegation of assault, involving a male victim in his 30s, which surfaced in July. In response to the accusation, his legal representative denied the claim, stating that it was untrue.