"Yoo Ah-in Suggested 'It's Time to Use Marijuana' in Court Testimony... Yoo Ah-in's Side Denies"

Yoo Ah-in Denies Allegations of Marijuana Smoking Teacher Charges

There was a court testimony stating that actor Yoo Ah-in (real name Eom Hong-sik), who is accused of drug use, allegedly encouraged marijuana smoking. Yoo Ah-in has denied the charge of instructing others to smoke marijuana.

The Criminal Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Ji Gwi-yeon) held the fourth trial on the 16th for Yoo Ah-in, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Narcotics Control Act (psychotropic substances) and instructing marijuana smoking.

On this day, a witness examination was conducted for Mr. A, a hairstylist and YouTuber. The prosecution believes that in January last year, Mr. A witnessed Yoo Ah-in and acquaintances smoking marijuana during a trip to the United States, and that Yoo Ah-in encouraged Mr. A, who was part of the group, to smoke marijuana as well.

Actor Yoo Ah-in (real name Eom Hong-sik), who is accused of habitual drug use, is attending the 4th trial of the first instance held on the afternoon of the 16th at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In court, Mr. A explained, "Yoo Ah-in and acquaintances were sitting in a circle passing around what looked like cigarette butts, and the cigarette came to me," adding, "Yoo Ah-in said, 'Isn't it time to do this kind of thing? Give some to A too.'"

He continued, "At that moment, realizing it was marijuana, I said, 'I don't have to do it since I'm naturally bright, so why bother?' but Yoo Ah-in insisted, 'No, give some to A too,'" he claimed.

When asked by the prosecutor, "Couldn't you have refused Yoo Ah-in's suggestion?" he replied, "Yoo Ah-in was the oldest and had the highest social status, so it was difficult to refuse easily," explaining, "Although I think I could have refused and left the place, the intertwined personal and professional relationships made it hard to reject the invitation to smoke."

He added, "I was afraid of the backlash, so I thought it was better to pretend to comply and become an accomplice. Yoo Ah-in said, 'If you tell anyone about smoking marijuana, you could be in big trouble too,'" and noted, "The atmosphere was not hostile."

Meanwhile, Yoo Ah-in's side denies Mr. A's claims. When reporters asked Yoo Ah-in, who appeared in court that day, "Did you instruct marijuana smoking?" he responded, "I categorically deny it. I will explain well in court today." When asked, "Did you send a long text message to Mr. A?" he said, "I have never sent a message. Please verify the facts."

Yoo Ah-in was indicted without detention last October on charges including illegal prescription and purchase of sleeping pills under another person's name, marijuana smoking and instruction, and instructing evidence destruction. He is accused of having used medical narcotics 181 times at hospitals around Seoul for cosmetic sleep anesthesia purposes between September 2020 and March 2022. He is also charged with illegally obtaining sleeping pills and other drugs 44 times under another person's name from May 2021 to August 2023.

In the previous second trial, Yoo Ah-in admitted to some charges related to the use of marijuana and propofol. However, he denies the remaining charges, including instructing marijuana smoking and instructing evidence destruction.