[Aju News DB]
SEOUL -- Park Yoo-chun, known by his stage name Yoochun, shed tears admitted his quilt as prosecutors demanded an 18-month jail term against the expelled member of K-pop band JYJ on charges of purchasing and using methamphetamine.
In a final hearing on Friday at a court in the southern city of Suwon, Park's lawyer called for leniency, saying his client was unable to live normally and ended up on drugs due to his mental anguish that began in 2016 when he was accused of buying sex from a woman.
Park, 33, was not charged at that time, but the 2016 case was tantamount to a death sentence for an entertainer, the lawyer said. Park said in his final statement that he "truly" felt guilty and sorry. "I admit all my sins, and I will keep a feeling of regret without resenting or hating anyone." The verdict would come on July 2.
Park was indicted for purchasing and using 1.5 grams of methamphetamine. The drug case came to light during a drug investigation into Hwang Ha-na, a 31-year-old granddaughter of the late founder of Namyang Dairy Products. Hwang told investigators that she took methamphetamine with Park at her home.
The two promised to marry in 2017 but separated the following year. Initially, Park strongly refuted Hwang's claim. He was expelled from his agency in April.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
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