South African jailed for smuggling marijuana worth $1.7m
Busan High Court has sentenced a South African woman to three years in prison for smuggling marijuana. Captured from KBS TV
By Park Si-soo
A South African woman convicted of smuggling marijuana into South Korea has been sentenced to three years in prison.
The Busan High Court's ruling on Wednesday confirmed a lower court's penalty.
The South African, 58, was charged with drug smuggling after being caught at Gimhae International Airport in October carrying 18 kilograms of marijuana worth 2 billion won ($1.69 million) in her baggage.
South Korea punishes production, trading, possession and consumption of marijuana. Violators can face up to five years in prison or a 50 million fine.