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.