'Drug Use and Unlicensed Driving' Man in His 50s Sentenced to 1 Year and 8 Months in Prison

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] On the 27th, Judge Shin Soon-young of the Seoul Northern District Court Criminal Division 7 sentenced Choi Mo (57), who was indicted for driving without a license while under the influence of drugs (violation of the Narcotics Control Act, etc.), to 1 year and 8 months in prison and a fine of 288,700 won.

From June to July of this year, Choi purchased approximately 0.35g of methamphetamine through express bus parcel delivery and used it three times in his office bathroom and other locations. It was also investigated that he drank 0.05g of methamphetamine mixed in water and then drove without a license for about 4 km from Guri-si, Gyeonggi Province to Nowon-gu, Seoul. A total of 5.02g of marijuana was found in the passenger seat and trunk of Choi’s car.

The court stated, "Despite the defendant’s prior record of driving without a license and drug-related punishments, he drove while under the influence of methamphetamine," and added, "Drug crimes severely damage an individual’s body and mind and pose a high risk to public health and social safety, so strict punishment is necessary."

Furthermore, the court explained the sentencing rationale, saying, "The sentence is determined considering the defendant’s confession and remorse, as well as cooperation with the drug investigation."