Former K-pop boy band BTOB member Jung Ilhoon, 27, was freed from prison on Dec. 16 after an appeals court commuted his sentence.
In its decision, the Seoul High Court gave Ilhoon a two-year prison sentence suspended for three years for habitual marijuana use.
Last June 10, the Seoul Central District Court found Ilhoon guilty of marijuana use and sentenced him to two years in prison and ordered him to pay a fine of 133 million (about $117,400). Ilhoon served in prison for six months before he was released on Dec. 16.
According to Korean media, Ilhoon attended the court hearing on Dec. 16. He was sporting long hair and wearing a prison uniform and a quarantine hat.
The Seoul High Court ordered a forfeiture of 120 million won ($101,000) and ordered Ilhoon to undergo 40 hours of drug treatment programs.
"The sentence was redetermined in consideration of his family's strong commitment to guide him as well as his determination, seen during the six-month time in jail, not to commit the crime again," said the Seoul High Court, according to Yonhap News.
In addition, Ilhoon’s accomplices also got suspended sentences. In the June trial, Ilhoon and his three accomplices were sentenced to imprisonment while the remaining four got suspended sentences.
In commuting Ilhoon’s prison sentence, the Seoul High Court stated that "considering the fact that he has vowed not to commit a crime again after being detained for six months, the new sentence has been decided."
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.
Ilhoon enlisted in the military on May 28, 2020 and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent the drug complaint of Ilhoon and his accomplices to the prosecution in July of the same year.
Ilhoon debuted in BTOB in 2012 and last Dec. 31, 2020, he 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,” said Cube Entertainment, SBS News reported.