The bar manager involved in the blackmail case of the late actor Lee Sun Kyun has once again been sentenced to prison, this time for separate drug-related charges.
According to the legal community on August 25, the Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 3 (Chief Judge Lee Seung Han) upheld the original ruling, sentencing bar manager A (in her 30s) to 1 year in prison for violating the Narcotics Control Act after using marijuana and methamphetamine. She was also ordered to complete 40 hours of drug rehabilitation education.
Prosecutors revealed that A, who already has six prior convictions for drug-related crimes, was indicted for using or smoking methamphetamine and marijuana on three occasions between March and August 2023.
She had appealed her original one-year sentence from October last year, but the appellate court maintained the punishment.
In explaining the decision, the court noted her high risk of repeating drug crimes, the type and amount of drugs used, and her history of prior convictions. However, it also considered her admission of guilt, cooperation with the investigation, and remorse.
Meanwhile, B, a plastic surgeon in his 40s who was accused of supplying drugs to A, had his sentence reduced from 2 years in prison to 1 year and 6 months.
Separately, A is also facing a much heavier sentence for blackmailing the late Lee Sun Kyun. She was indicted for extorting around 300 million KRW from him and was sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison in her appeal trial.
After reportedly dropping her Supreme Court appeal, she is set to serve a total of 6 years and 6 months in prison when combining the cases.
Actor Lee Sun Kyun, who was under police investigation for alleged drug use, tragically passed away on December 27, 2023. With his death, the case against him was closed with “no right to prosecute.”
Source: [1]
