Court Sentences Jeon Du-won's Grandson Jeon Woo-won to Probation for Drug Use (Comprehensive)

Jeon Woo-won (27), the grandson of former President Jeon Du-hwan who is accused of 'drug use,' was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial.

The Criminal Division 24 of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Choi Kyung-seo) on the 22nd sentenced Jeon to 2 years and 6 months in prison with a 4-year suspension for violating the Narcotics Control Act. The court also ordered Jeon to undergo 3 years of probation, complete 120 hours of community service, attend 80 hours of drug treatment lectures, and pay a fine of 2.66 million won.

Jeon Woo-won, the grandson of former President Jeon Du-hwan, is leaving the courtroom after the first trial sentencing hearing held on the morning of the 22nd at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul.

The court stated, "Although the defendant now appears to be deeply remorseful, at the time, he seemed to have little sense of guilt," and added, "Broadcasting his hallucination-induced abnormal behavior, regardless of intent, is an act that causes imitation crimes and poses a danger to society, making the nature of the crime very serious."

It continued, "However, considering his cooperation with the investigation to the extent equivalent to a voluntary surrender, his reflection, and his formation of bonds by pledging abstinence with those around him, we have considered how to punish him," and concluded, "We grant him the opportunity for a healthy social life but impose obligations under state supervision, thus sentencing him to a suspended prison term."

Before the sentencing, when asked by the court what he reflected upon, Jeon replied, "Having lived overseas for over 13 years, I forgot the duties of a Korean and, knowing it was illegal, my judgment was impaired, leading me to use and abuse drugs that I should not have used," adding, "There is no justification for any reason, and I have come to realize that my actions after using drugs hurt many people."

After the sentencing hearing ended, Jeon left the courtroom without responding to reporters' questions about the sentence and the box office performance of the film Seoul's Spring.

Jeon was indicted without detention in September for allegedly using four types of drugs?including methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), known as 'Ecstasy,' lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, and marijuana?in the United States from November last year to March this year.

In March this year, Jeon revealed his actual drug use during a live YouTube broadcast while mentioning drugs. Subsequently, the police urgently arrested Jeon upon his arrival at Incheon Airport on March 28, conducted an investigation, and released him the next day after he admitted to the charges.

At the time of his arrival, Jeon admitted to reporters that he had used marijuana, Ecstasy, and other drugs. It was also reported that he tested positive in a detailed drug analysis conducted by the National Forensic Service.

The prosecution received Jeon in April while he was not detained and summoned him for investigation in June. It is reported that Jeon admitted all charges during the prosecution's investigation as well.

At the first trial held at the end of October, Jeon admitted all the prosecution's charges, and the sentencing procedure was conducted simultaneously. The prosecution requested a 3-year prison sentence at that time.

Jeon, the son of Jeon Jae-yong, the second son of former President Jeon Du-hwan, began exposing allegations of his family's criminal proceeds concealment and other crimes on his social media from March 13 this year.

Meanwhile, after returning to Korea, Jeon visited Gwangju and repeatedly apologized to the bereaved families of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.

Civil groups such as the Jeon Du-hwan Judgment National Action submitted a collective petition to the court asking for leniency for Jeon considering these points, but the court stated that petitions received in a political context were not taken into account.

In the courtroom that day, as Jeon arrived, some audience members were seen cheering him on, saying, "Woo-won, stay strong," and "We love you."