Renowned South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in, whose real name is Uhm Hong-sik, was convicted on Tuesday for the illegal use of the anaesthetic drug propofol and received a one-year prison sentence, according to the Yonhap news agency. Yoo was charged with using propofol on 181 occasions from 2020 to 2022, with these drugs being administered at professional clinics under the pretense of undergoing cosmetic procedures. The prosecution had requested a four-year sentence for the actor, known for his role in 'Hellbound,' but the Seoul Central District Court sentenced the 37-year-old to one year in jail, as reported by Yonhap.
The court ruled that Yoo was guilty of all his purchases for habitual drug use, stating that he had committed these offenses 'in disregard of relevant regulations' and showed a 'lack of caution against drug substances,' according to Yonhap News TV. Additionally, a doctor who provided propofol to Yoo without a proper prescription was fined 40 million won ($30,000, Dh110,016) last month. Propofol, primarily used as a surgical anaesthetic, is occasionally misused recreationally, often involving medical professionals who supply it without a legitimate clinical need. The drug was also cited as the cause of pop star Michael Jackson's death in 2009.
In court, Yoo expressed, 'I am sorry for having caused concern to many people,' as quoted by Yonhap. Yoo gained fame in South Korea after his debut in 2003, starring in various television dramas and films across different genres, becoming one of the country's most recognizable actors. This trial is the latest in a series of drug scandals affecting South Korea. In a comparable case, K-pop star G-Dragon faced drug use allegations but the case was dismissed in November due to insufficient evidence. Actor Lee Sun-kyun, famous for his role in the Oscar-winning film 'Parasite,' took his own life in December following accusations of illegal substance use, leading to public outcry over the perceived excessive police investigation without substantial evidence. Lee Jae-yong, former vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics, was convicted in 2021 of illegally using propofol and fined 70 million won for repeatedly receiving the anaesthetic at a plastic surgery clinic in Seoul over several years.
