A Seoul court rejected a request by the police for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Korean actor Yoo Ah-in, who is accused of taking five drugs including marijuana and cocaine.
Yoo Ah-in is accused of habitual use of propofol and he tested positive for marijuana, cocaine, ketamine and zolpidem.
Korean actor Yoo Ah-in facing the media in Seoul on May 24 (Screenshot from MBC News video)
After he arrived from the US on Feb. 5, he tested positive for marijuana, propofol, cocaine and ketamine in a hair and urine test.
On May 24, Yoo Ah-in appeared before the Seoul court at about 10:30 a.m. KST. After completing the warrant of arrest examination at 12:40 p.m. his hands were tied with a rope and was brought to the Mapo Police Station detention center where he waited for the decision of the court regarding the charges of violating Korea’s Narcotics Control Act.
At 11:30 p.m, or about 13 hours, the Seoul court issued a decision, dismissing the request for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Yoo Ah-in.
"It is difficult to conclude that there is concern about destroying evidence or fleeing. The fact that a large amount of evidence related to the crime has already been secured, that Mr. Yoo has admitted to a large part of the basic facts and is reflecting on smoking marijuana, and that room for some contention regarding cocaine use cannot be ruled out, so it is necessary to guarantee the right to defense,” the court ruled
It added, “The fact that it seems necessary to guarantee, the fact that the residence is constant and there is no history of crimes of the same type, etc. were cited as reasons for dismissal.”
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Drug Crime Investigation Unit applied for an arrest warrant on May 19, deciding that an arrest investigation was inevitable given the seriousness of the case and concerns about destroying evidence regarding Yoo Ah-in's alleged drug use.
After the decision was released, Yoo Ah-in left the police station at about 11:40 p.m.
"I respect and appreciate the court's judgment,” he told the media.
It was reported that after Yoo Ah-in finished answering questions from the media, a man threw coffee at him. He was hit on the back and his clothes became wet.