'Grandson of Hyosung Founder Admits to Charges in First Trial for Marijuana Purchase and Smoking'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The grandson of the founder of Hyosung Group, who was indicted on charges of purchasing and smoking marijuana, admitted all charges at the first trial on the 26th.

On this day, the Criminal Division 23 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Jo Byeonggu) held the first trial of Cho (age 39), who was indicted for violating the Narcotics Control Act (marijuana).

In court, Cho's side stated, "We admit all charges and confess." When the court asked whether there is an ongoing investigation related to other cases, he answered, "There is not." It was also conveyed that Cho is currently voluntarily receiving counseling related to drug treatment and has no prior convictions of the same kind.

The court requested the prosecutor to "review whether 'defendant questioning' is absolutely necessary." Since Cho confessed to the charges, the court plans to conclude all trial procedures at the second hearing scheduled for March.

Previously, Cho was indicted without detention on charges of purchasing marijuana four times and smoking 1 gram of marijuana from January to November last year. He is the grandson of the late Cho Hongje, the founder of Hyosung Group, and serves as a director at DSDL, which separated from Hyosung Group.

Earlier, the Violent Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Shin Junho), which conducted a focused investigation into drug trading, use, and distribution among influential figures such as third-generation chaebols and entertainers, recently indicted 17 marijuana offenders (10 detained, 7 not detained), including Cho, Hong (age 40), the grandson of the founder of Namyang Dairy Products, and Lim (age 38), the son-in-law of the former chairman of JB Financial Group.

This group included second- and third-generation chaebols and mid-sized business heirs, entertainment agency representatives, and singers with U.S. nationality. Three others, including the son of former National Police Agency Commissioner Kim and office workers, were also indicted without detention. Three individuals, including the grandson of the founder of Company A, who fled overseas to evade the prosecution's investigation, have been placed on the wanted list.

According to the prosecution's investigation, they secretly distributed and smoked marijuana through their own supply lines. In particular, second- and third-generation chaebols and mid-sized business heirs played a key role in the supply chain. Most of them were exposed to marijuana during their overseas studies and continued to smoke it for several years after returning to Korea without quitting.