'The Chaser' Real Model Sentenced to Prison for Drug Dealing

A man in his 50s, who is known to be the real model for the character portrayed by actor Kim Yoon-seok in the movie 'The Chaser' and who played a significant role in the capture of serial killer Yoo Young-chul, has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for drug dealing in an appeal trial.

On the 27th, the 3rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court (Chief Judge Kim Han-seong) announced that it upheld the original judgment in the appeal trial of Mr. Noh (52), who was arrested and indicted for violating the Narcotics Control Act.

The court ruled, “We cannot find any circumstances that would warrant a change in the original sentencing, and we do not find the sentence to be excessively harsh or lenient.” As a result, Mr. Noh's sentence of three years and six months in prison, along with a confiscation of 4.3 million won, has been confirmed.

Mr. Noh is reported to be the real-life model for the character Um Jung-ho portrayed by actor Kim Yoon-seok in the movie 'The Chaser.'

In July 2004, while working as an owner of an escort agency in Gangnam, he was considered to have played a crucial role in the capture of serial killer Yoo Young-chul. However, he later fell into drug addiction and has repeatedly cycled through incarceration for drug use offenses.

During the appeal trial held last month, the prosecution argued that Mr. Noh's criminal nature and history of recidivism warranted a harsher sentence, requesting six years in prison, claiming that the original sentence was too lenient.

On the other hand, Mr. Noh's defense attorney pleaded for leniency, stating, “He acknowledges his wrongdoing and has committed to not reoffending.” They particularly highlighted that “the first offense was attempted but not completed, and the methamphetamine delivered afterward was immediately retrieved by the police and was not distributed.” They also emphasized that “providing tips on a ketamine smuggling organization was an exceptionally rare contribution to the investigation.”

In court, Mr. Noh reportedly stated that he engaged in more drug use due to trauma from the Yoo Young-chul case. He was charged for allegedly selling or handing methamphetamine to an acquaintance, referred to as A, in March and May of last year. Furthermore, in January 2023, he attempted to sell 10 grams of methamphetamine to A, but the crime was incomplete as A was apprehended by the police.

However, after A was released, Mr. Noh reached out again to offer methamphetamine for sale, leading the police to raid the lodging where Mr. Noh was staying in July of last year and arrest him.

The first-instance court stated, “There are multiple past offenses related to drug crimes, and the quantity of methamphetamine involved is not insignificant,” and sentenced him to prison. Both the prosecution and the defense appealed, citing inappropriate sentencing, but the appeal judgment was upheld as well.

Image source: Movie 'The Chaser', Yoo Young-chul / SBS 'I Want to Know That', reference photos for article understanding / gettyimagesbank