20-Year-Old Woman Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison for Drug Use in Prestigious University Joint Club

The prosecution has sought a prison sentence for a woman in her 20s who used drugs in an alliance club formed mainly by prestigious universities in the Seoul metropolitan area.

At a trial held on the 25th under the Criminal Division 14 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Jang Seong-hoon), the prosecution requested a sentence of one year in prison and a fine of 560,000 won for Jeong Mo (22), who was indicted without detention on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act (psychotropic substances).

Seoul Southern District Court.
Photo by Asia Economy DB

The prosecution stated, "Jeong has no prior criminal record and is a typical university student who has diligently engaged in school life," adding, "She is reflecting on her drug use on her own."

They further explained that the fine of 560,000 won corresponds to the value of the methamphetamine and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) that Jeong used.

Jeong was brought to trial on charges of using drugs after gathering with about 50 club members last February to promote camaraderie and being encouraged to use drugs by the club president Yeom Mo (31).

Jeong said on the day, "I am sorry. I will never do it again."

The Southern District Court also held the first trial for Yeom, who allegedly encouraged Jeong to use drugs, in the afternoon of the same day. Yeom, considered the ringleader of the case, graduated from Yonsei University and attended the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) graduate school but was confirmed to have been expelled in 2020 before the crime.

Yeom's defense attorney denied the false accusation charges and requested additional evidence but did not clarify their position on other charges such as drug use.

On the other hand, club executives Lee Mo (25) and Hong Mo (26), who were indicted along with Yeom, admitted to all charges.

These individuals, who served as executives of a club composed of hundreds of students from 13 universities in the metropolitan area, are accused of using and distributing drugs for one year starting from December 2022.

The members included many students from prestigious universities such as Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University, as well as students preparing to re-enter medical and pharmacy schools.