Government prosecutors are seeking four years of imprisonment against Jung Ilhoon, 26, a former member of K-pop boy band BTOB, who admitted to buying and using marijuana.
Ilhoon attended on May 20 the second trial for his drug case in which he is accused of violating Korea’s Narcotics Control Act for marijuana use.
He and seven others are facing charges of buying and smoking 826 grams of marijuana for two and a half years between July 5, 2016 and Jan. 9, 2019. They spent 130 million won (about $116,420) for the illegal drugs, remitting the money 161 times to a drug dealer.
During the trial, prosecutors asked the Seoul Central District Court to sentence Ilhoon to four years in prison and impose a fine of 133 million (about $117,400).
According to Korean media, the judge asked Ilhoon if he admits all the charges of the prosecution, to which he replied, “Yes, I admit it.”
In his final pleading, Ilhoon’s attorney said the singer is deeply reflecting as it was the first time in his life to be investigated and tried. He said Ilhoon was stressed by being a composer and trainee and by other entertainment activities at a young age and he tried to solve it in a wrong way.
The attorney said Ilhoon promised he will never use drugs such as marijuana again and people around him said they will help him.
In addition, the prosecution is asking the court to sentence the seven other accused to imprisonment ranging from one year and six months to four years.
The sentencing for Ilhoon and the other accused will be held at 2 p.m. on June 10.
Last April 22, Ilhoon attended his first trial for the drug case. He is currently fulfilling his military service as a social service agent.
Back then, his lawyer said, "The defendant has acknowledged all the facts of the prosecution and is reflecting on his wrongdoing.”
"I am sincerely reflecting on it. I’m very sorry,” Ilhoon told the court.
Under Korea’s law, smoking marijuana is punishable by imprisonment with labor up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won (about $45,075).
Last December, Korean channel Channel A reported that Ilhoon was investigated by the police for marijuana use and the drug was detected in his hair.
It said that to avoid detection, Ilhoon used cryptocurrency to buy marijuana. He deposited cash in an account of an acquaintance who converted it to cryptocurrency to buy marijuana.
The former K-pop idol enlisted in the military on May 28 last year and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent the drug complaint of Ilhoon and his accomplices to the prosecution last July.
Ilhoon debuted in BTOB in 2012 and last Dec. 31, Ilhoon left BTOB because of the scandal.
“Jung Ilhoon is deeply reflecting on his actions of breaking the trust of many fans and causing them to feel disappointment. Respecting his personal opinion to no longer cause harm to the group, it was decided that Jung Ilhoon will withdraw from the group as of today,” announced Cube Entertainment, SBS News reported.