K-pop star Park Yoo-chun receives suspended sentence for drug use
- Former JYI member broke down in tears outside the court after receiving a 10-month suspended sentence
- He was indicted on charges of purchasing and injecting methamphetamine with his former girlfriend, one news outlet reported
Park Yoo-chun, a former member of the South Korean boy band JYJ, has received a 10-month suspended sentence for methamphetamine use.
Suwon District Court also ordered the 33-year-old star to undergo probation and drug treatment.
The judge said in his ruling on Tuesday that drug crimes should be harshly punished, but that Park had acknowledged his crime and was remorseful.
“The defendant has admitted to the offence and his drug test results, along with other evidence, prove his guilt. Narcotic-related crimes cause huge damage to individuals and society, so severe punishment is required,” the court said in the ruling.
“However, the defendant has admitted his crime and shown a reflective attitude since he has been detained. And considering that this is his first offence, it is better to hand him a suspended prison sentence so he can have a chance to return to society.”