'Hajungwoo under "Propofol Suspicion," with 10 Lawyers Including Chief Judges and Prosecutors with Impressive Backgrounds'

Ha Jung-woo Faces Formal Trial for Habitual Propofol Use
First Hearing Scheduled for the 10th

Actor Ha Jung-woo.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Actor Ha Jung-woo (real name Kim Seong-hoon), who is suspected of propofol administration, is reported to have appointed as many as 10 lawyers ahead of his first trial at the Seoul Central District Court on the morning of the 10th.

According to the legal community on the 5th, after the summary indictment case for violation of the Narcotics Control Act (administrative) was converted into a formal trial, Ha Jung-woo additionally appointed three lawyers from the Barun Law Firm and three lawyers from the Gayul Law Firm.

Two lawyers from the Yoo Law Firm, who had previously handled media responses, resigned, but two lawyers from Yulchon and two lawyers from Bae, Kim & Lee (Taepyungyang) remain.

In other words, regarding Ha Jung-woo's suspicion of illegal propofol use, a total of four law firms, including Yulchon, Taepyungyang, and Barun, which are considered among the top 10 law firms in Korea, and 10 lawyers are involved.

Notably, among the three newly appointed lawyers from Barun, two are former chief judges. Lawyer A from Taepyungyang is a former police officer, and Lawyer B is a former chief prosecutor of the narcotics division in the violent crimes department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, in early June, the prosecution judged that Ha Jung-woo administered propofol more than 10 times from January to September 2019 and filed a summary indictment with a fine of 10 million won. A summary indictment is a procedure where the sentence is determined through a written review by the court without a formal trial. The prosecution deemed a fine appropriate punishment.

At that time, Ha Jung-woo did not raise any objections and said, "I have disclosed all facts during the investigation process and humbly accept the resulting disposition."

He stated, "I visited a dermatology clinic for acne scar treatment and received treatments under sedation anesthesia for painful procedures such as laser therapy." He also said, "As an actor who has received excessive love, stricter self-management was necessary, but I reflect on my careless judgment of not considering the actual procedures as wrong."

However, on June 22, Judge Shin Se-a of the Criminal Division 27 at the Seoul Central District Court reversed the atmosphere by ruling that "this is not a case to be handled summarily" and sent Ha Jung-woo's case to a formal trial. If the court judges that the nature of the crime is not light, contrary to the prosecution's assessment, it can overturn the prosecution's summary indictment.

Ha Jung-woo's first trial will be held at 10 a.m. on the 10th at the Seoul Central District Court.