Yoo was charged with using propofol 181 times between 2020 and 2022, under the pretence of undergoing cosmetic procedures at professional clinics. The prosecution had originally sought a four-year prison term for the 37-year-old actor, known for his role in the series “Hellbound,” but the Seoul Central District Court handed down a one-year sentence.
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In its ruling, the court declared Yoo guilty of habitual drug use, stating that he had committed these offenses “in disregard of relevant regulations” and had shown a “lack of caution against drug substances.”
Last month, a doctor who had administered propofol to Yoo without a proper prescription was fined 40 million won ($30,000).
Propofol, primarily used as a surgical anaesthetic, has also been misused recreationally, often with the assistance of medical professionals who provide it without legitimate clinical reasons. The drug gained notoriety after it was identified as the cause of pop star Michael Jackson’s death in 2009.
In court, Yoo expressed remorse, saying, “I am sorry for having caused concern to many people,” as quoted by Yonhap.
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Yoo has been a well-known figure in South Korea since his debut in 2003, starring in numerous television dramas and films across various genres. This trial is the latest in a series of drug scandals that have rocked South Korea.
In a related case, K-pop star G-Dragon was accused of drug use and questioned by police, but the case was dismissed in November due to insufficient evidence. Similarly, actor Lee Sun-kyun, famous for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” tragically took his own life in December after facing accusations of illegal substance use, sparking public outrage over what many saw as an overly aggressive police investigation without substantial proof.
Additionally, in 2021, Lee Jae-yong, then vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics, was fined 70 million won after being convicted of illegally using propofol. He was found guilty of repeatedly receiving the anaesthetic at a plastic surgery clinic in Seoul over several years.
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