The key issue in actor Yoo Ah-in’s (real name Uhm Hong-sik, 37) third trial was the proxy prescription of sleeping pills. Park, the CEO of fashion brand E, appeared as a witness. He has been a close friend of Yoo Ah-in for 17 years.
The 25-1 Criminal Agreement Division of the Seoul Central District Court held the third trial for Yoo Ah-in on the afternoon of the 5th. Yoo Ah-in is charged with violations of the Narcotics Control Act (psychotropic drugs), among others.
The trial lasted for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Yoo Ah-in arrived at the courthouse in a suit about 20 minutes before the start of the trial. Another defendant, Choi, who is charged with the same offense, was also present.
The trial was conducted mainly through witness examinations. The prosecution’s examination of Yoo Ah-in’s acquaintance, Mr. Park, and the defense’s cross-examination were fiercely contested, differing from the previous trials that were adjourned after about 30 minutes.
Mr. Park testified about the accusation that he had asked Yoo Ah-in to illegally obtain prescriptions using family names. “I’ve been a close friend of Yoo Ah-in for 17 years,” Park began.
The prosecutor asked Mr. Park, “Is it true that you illegally obtained prescriptions for Stilnox tablets in the name of Yoo’s sister on five occasions?” Park admitted, “I had asked Yoo Ah-in for such a favor.”
The defense’s examination followed. They asked, “Did you never think that the Stilnox tablets were prescribed for his direct consumption?” To which Park replied, “No.”
Park is also accused of providing funds for overseas escape to YouTuber A on four occasions through Choi. Regarding this, Park said, “It was paid as advertising fees for our company.”
Yoo Ah-in has already admitted to the charges of smoking marijuana and administering propofol. However, he denies other charges. His defense maintained the same stance during the trial.
Meanwhile, the same court, under Criminal Single Judge 24 (Judge Yu Dong-kyun), also held a trial in the morning for Dr. Shin, who was charged with prescribing propofol to Yoo Ah-in and self-administering it.
The prosecutor sought a 3-year prison sentence for Dr. Shin, stating, “He administered propofol to Mr. Yoo on a total of 17 occasions without reporting to the relevant authorities.” Dr. Shin admitted to all charges.
Yoo Ah-in was indicted without detention last October. He is accused of administering medical narcotics several times for cosmetic procedures under the guise of anesthesia at hospitals in Seoul from September 2020 to March 2022.
He is also charged with illegally obtaining prescriptions for sleeping pills Stilnox and Xanax, totaling over 1,000 tablets, under someone else’s name. There’s also a charge related to encouraging YouTuber Mr. Kim, who witnessed Yoo Ah-in smoking marijuana, to smoke.
The fourth trial is scheduled for 2 PM on the 16th of next month. It will include a witness examination of YouTuber Mr. Kim, who is a close acquaintance of Yoo Ah-in. Yoo Ah-in denied the charges of encouraging smoking in the last trial.
