Yoo Ah In Given Suspended Sentence in Drug Case Appeal

Popular actor Yoo Ah In (real name Uhm Hong Sik) has been handed a suspended prison sentence of one year for his involvement in a drug use case. In a recent development, the Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 5, presided over by Judges Kwon Soon Hyung, Ahn Seung Hoon, and Shim Seung Woo, overturned the initial ruling, sparing him from immediate imprisonment.

Initially sentenced in September 2023, Yoo Ah In was facing a one-year prison term, a 2 million KRW fine, mandatory drug rehabilitation education, and an additional 1.54 million KRW fine. The updated ruling has suspended the prison sentence for two years, providing him with a second chance.

Yoo Ah In was accused of using various medical narcotics on 181 occasions from September 2020 to March 2022. He was also involved in the unauthorized acquisition of over 1,100 sleeping pills under a different name, along with engaging in marijuana use in the United States with accomplices, one of whom was known as Choi, and influencing YouTuber Hairmon to partake.

While prosecutors had sought a stricter four-year prison term, the appeals court showed leniency by converting it to a suspended one-year sentence, meaning Yoo Ah In will avoid incarceration unless he breaches the terms during the probationary period.