Multi-awarded actor Yoo Ah-in, whose real name is Uhm Hong-sik, appeared in handcuffs on Wednesday at the end of a substantive warrant hearing at the Seoul Central District Court.
Presiding judge Lee Min-su opened a pretrial examination for Yoo at 11 a.m. on May 24th. The “Hellbound” actor faces charges of using five types of drugs, including marijuana, propofol, cocaine, ketamine, and zolpidem, all of which are serious violations of the Narcotics Control Act.
Dressed in a black suit with a matching black necktie and appearing without makeup, Yoo Ah-in responded to the questions from the press corps in a visibly tense state with a trembling voice.
Upon being asked about his acknowledgment of the charges, the use of cocaine, and alleged attempts to help accomplices flee, Yoo Ah-in replied, “I admit to a significant part of the charges.” He also clarified, “I did not attempt to facilitate the escape of any accomplices,” marking the first time that the actor acknowledged charges and mentioned accomplices.
Previously, KBS reported that Yoo was caught trying to help an accomplice, referred to as A, flee overseas. However, this attempt was unsuccessful, and the situation was used as the basis for the warrant application.
In the second round of summoning, Yoo Ah-in denied the charges of taking drugs other than marijuana, asserting that his usage of propofol and ketamine was for medical purposes. He also claimed that he had smoked marijuana handed over to him by an acquaintance.
However, during today’s warrant examination, Yoo changed his stance and admitted to most of the charges as he faced the possibility of arrest.
The aforementioned accomplice, A, also appeared in court today, about 30 minutes after Yoo Ah-in. The court’s decision on issuing an arrest warrant for the actor is expected to be made by tonight or early Thursday morning.
After the warrant examination was completed at around 12:40 p.m., Yoo responded to a reporter’s question about whether he regretted taking the drugs, stating, “I regret it.” The actor was then escorted, handcuffed, into a police vehicle.
On May 19th, the police requested an arrest warrant for Yoo Ah-in, asserting that the severity of his alleged crimes was augmented by his denial of most charges and the suspicion of using various types of drugs. They also pointed out that some of the individuals suspected to be his accomplices were staying overseas, raising concerns about potential destruction of evidence. Accepting these allegations, the prosecutor’s office filed a warrant for his arrest on May 22.
The investigation into Yoo Ah-in started when police received a report from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety that the actor had been over-prescribed propofol. Following the collection of hair and urine samples after Yoo returned from the U.S. on February 5th, the list of suspected drugs was expanded to five, including marijuana, cocaine, ketamine, and zolpidem.
Source: Xports News