[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Hong Mo (40), the grandson of the late Hong Jong-yeol, founder of Korea Steel, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial for involvement in the 'chaebol family drug use and distribution' case.
On the morning of the 7th, the Criminal Division 25-1 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Park Jeong-gil, Park Jeong-je, Park Sa-rang) sentenced Hong, who was indicted on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act (marijuana), to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension. He was also ordered to pay a fine of 3.1 million won and to attend 40 hours of drug treatment lectures.
The court stated, "Based on the defendant's confession and urine test results, guilt is recognized," and added, "Drug crimes severely damage an individual's body and mind, so strict punishment is necessary. The amount handled by the defendant in a short period is not insignificant." However, the court also considered that "the defendant confessed to the crime and cooperated with the investigation, and is a first-time offender," and "it appears that the marijuana was purchased for simple smoking purposes for himself and acquaintances, and he pledged not to smoke anymore."
Hong is the grandson of the late Hong Jong-yeol, founder of the mid-sized steel company Korea Steel. He was prosecuted for purchasing marijuana three times and smoking four times between July and December last year in Gangnam-gu and Yongsan-gu, Seoul. It is known that he gave the marijuana he possessed free of charge three times to Cho Mo (40), a third-generation member of the Hyosung family.
Recently, the Violent Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Shin Junho) indicted 17 marijuana offenders (10 detained, 7 not detained), including Cho, Hong Mo (40), grandson of the founder of Namyang Dairy Products, and Lim Mo (38), son-in-law of the former chairman of JB Financial Group.
The group included second- and third-generation chaebol and mid-sized company heirs, entertainment agency representatives, and singers with U.S. nationality. Three others, including the son of former National Police Agency chief Kim Mo and office workers, were also prosecuted without detention. Those who fled overseas to evade the prosecution, such as the grandson of the founder of Company A, have been wanted.
They were found to have secretly distributed and smoked marijuana through their own supply lines. In particular, second- and third-generation chaebol and mid-sized company heirs played a key role in the supply network. 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.
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