50s Who Helped Affair Partner Trying to Die After Being Exposed...Heavier Punishment in Appeal Trial

A woman in her 50s who gave psychotropic drugs to her lover, who was contemplating suicide after their extramarital affair of over 10 years was exposed, received a heavier sentence in the appellate court.

The Criminal Division 2 of the Gwangju High Court (Presiding Judge Lee Eui-young) overturned the original verdict on the charges of attempted aiding of suicide and violation of the Narcotics Control Act against A (59, female) and B (69), sentencing A to one year in prison with a two-year probation and B to six months in prison with a two-year probation, according to Yonhap News on the 14th.

A was prosecuted for providing B, with whom she had maintained an inappropriate relationship for over 10 years, a drug containing zolpidem after B was distressed because his wife found out about the affair, thereby assisting B’s death. The first trial court only found A guilty of attempted aiding of suicide and acquitted her of the charges related to providing and receiving psychotropic drugs. A was sentenced to six months in prison with one year of probation in the first trial. B was charged with illegally taking zolpidem, a psychotropic drug, and was sentenced to four months in prison with one year of probation in the first trial.

The appellate court stated, "If B’s testimony is credible, it is believable that A gave him zolpidem-containing sleeping pills," and convicted the defendants on the previously acquitted charges of exchanging psychotropic drugs, imposing heavier sentences.

Meanwhile, zolpidem is generally used as a sleeping pill but is classified as a psychotropic drug, so selling or giving zolpidem prescribed for one’s own treatment to others is punishable. The Narcotics Control Act stipulates that illegal purchase or use of zolpidem, propofol, phentermine, and others is punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.

※ If you have difficult-to-talk-about concerns such as depression or know family or acquaintances going through such difficulties, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling through the Suicide Prevention Hotline ☎109 or the Suicide Prevention SNS counseling service "Madeullan."