The Supreme Court has confirmed the prison sentences for the main perpetrators of the so-called ‘Yongsan group drug meeting’, which was uncovered following the fall and death of an active-duty police officer. The 3rd Division of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Lee Heung-gu, dismissed the appeals for Lee (32) and Jeong (46), who were charged with violating drug control laws, upholding the lower court’s sentences of 4 years and 6 months and 3 years and 6 months in prison, respectively.
These individuals were accused of participating in a drug meeting on August 26 last year, where they allegedly used drugs such as ecstasy and ketamine. The event had 25 attendees, including a police sergeant from the Gangwon Police Agency, who tragically fell and died while under the influence of drugs, leading to the criminal activities being exposed.
In the first trial, Lee was sentenced to 5 years in prison with mandatory participation in a 40-hour drug addiction rehabilitation program and a fine of 760,000 KRW. Jeong was sentenced to 4 years in prison, with similar rehabilitation and financial penalties. However, the appellate court found Lee not guilty on charges related to the possession and transaction of synthetic drugs, and Jeong not guilty of charges involving the transaction and provision of a venue for synthetic drugs, due to insufficient evidence. Nevertheless, they were found guilty on other drug-related charges.
The appellate court highlighted the severity of providing drugs to around 20 meeting participants, creating numerous opportunities for exposure to multiple drugs. The Supreme Court agreed with the findings of the appellate court.