Actor Yoo Ah-in appeals for leniency, arguing '1-year sentence is too harsh'

Actor Yoo Ah-in arrives at Seoul Central District Court for his first sentencing hearing, Sept. 3. Yonhap

Actor Yoo Ah-in, facing charges of habitual drug use, appealed for leniency in his second trial, where he remains under court custody following his initial sentencing.

The Seoul High Court’s criminal division held on Tuesday Yoo’s first appeal hearing, where he stands accused of violating drug control laws, among other charges.

Yoo's legal team argued that his actions were not intentionally malicious or exploitative of legal loopholes.

“Yoo’s dependency on sedatives arose from extreme physical and mental stress," his defense said. "Even before the investigation began, he had been seeking treatment for sleep disorders in psychiatric clinics, where he was experiencing notable improvement.”

Yoo, appearing in court with a shaved head, made no personal statement.

Yoo faces multiple charges, including the habitual medical use of propofol and the illegal prescription of over 1,100 sleeping pills under another person’s name.

Additionally, he is accused of smoking marijuana three times in the U.S. with an acquaintance, identified only as Choi, in January this year, and allegedly encouraging others to partake.

In the initial ruling, Yoo received a one-year prison sentence and a fine of 2 million won ($1,500). However, the court dismissed the charge of evidence tampering due to insufficient evidence, prompting both Yoo’s legal team and the prosecution to file appeals. Yoo’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.