”Medication for medical purposes”... Yu A In, accused of ”psychotropic drug use”, receives first trial ruling this week

A verdict will be handed down this week for actor Yu A In (real name Uhm Hong-sik, 38), who was indicted on charges of habitually using narcotics including propofol and marijuana.
According to the legal profession on the 1st, the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge, Gwiyeon) will hold a hearing on the 3rd afternoon regarding the law on narcotics management.
The court is set to hand down sentences on suspect Yu and his acquaintance, artist Choi (33), who were both indicted on suspicion of misconduct (improper sexual conduct).
From September 2020 to March 2022, Yoo allegedly committed fraud at 14 hospitals under the pretext of sleep anesthesia for cosmetic treatments.
He is accused of regularly administering medical narcotics such as folate, midazolam, remimazolam, and ketamine 181 times. In addition, he is accused of administering drugs under other people's names 44 times between May 2021 and August of the following year.
There are also allegations that Yoo illegally prescribed sleeping pills. The prosecution also uncovered additional allegations that Yoo instructed an acquaintance to destroy evidence and forced the group to smoke marijuana in the United States.
At the closing hearing held on July 24, the prosecution sought four years in prison, a 2 million won fine, and a 1.5 million won surcharge for Yoo.
"As a famous entertainer, he has exerted social influence through his confident statements," the court said, adding, "Yet the defendant used that social influence to commit illegal acts in order to cover up his crime."
The defense lawyer admitted to using narcotics, but argued that it was for the purpose of treating depression, anxiety disorder, and insomnia that he suffered from.
In his final statement, Yoo said, "This experience has given me time to reflect on my life. It is disgraceful, but I have learned a lot from this incident."
"I have vowed to live as a more mature and responsible person," he said. The prosecution also sought a four-year prison sentence for Choi, who was indicted alongside Yoo. Choi is accused of drug control and other crimes.
He was referred to the prosecutor's office on suspicion of violating the law (marijuana), retaliatory intimidation under the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specified Crimes, and aiding in the escape of a criminal.