AfreecaTV BJ Seya Receives Reduced Sentence in Drug Case Appeal
Park, formerly known as 'BJ Seya' on AfreecaTV, has received a reduced sentence in the second trial. The Seoul High Court overturned the first trial's sentence of 3 years and 6 months, instead sentencing Park to 2 years in prison. While the court acknowledged the guilt for long-term and extensive drug use, the charge of possessing ketamine was deemed not guilty.
The Seoul High Court sentenced Park to 2 years in prison, a reduction of 1 year and 6 months from the first trial.
On the 29th, Division 6-3 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Lee Ye-seul, Jung Jae-oh, and Choi Eun-jeong) sentenced Park to 2 years in prison and ordered 40 hours of drug addiction treatment for violating the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Narcotics).
This is a reduction of 1 year and 6 months from the original trial's sentence of 3 years and 6 months. The first trial resulted in 3 years and 6 months, but the second trial reduced it to 2 years.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered 40 hours of drug addiction treatment.
This measure seems to consider Park's high dependence on drugs and the difficulty of quitting on their own. It reflects an intention to prevent relapse through treatment, not just punishment.
The second trial court found Park guilty of using large quantities of drugs over a long period, as in the first trial.
However, the charge of possessing ketamine was found not guilty. While the drug use charge was acknowledged, the possession charge was deemed to have insufficient evidence or was not recognized.
The court emphasized the seriousness of drug crimes.
"Drug crimes are a serious threat not only to individual addiction but also to social safety."
This clarifies that drugs are a crime that threatens the safety of society as a whole, beyond individual problems.
The court also pointed out Park's drug dependence.
"The defendant has a high dependence on drugs and has limitations in quitting on their own."
This is a judgment that Park is already deeply dependent on drugs and cannot quit with their will alone. This is also the reason for the drug addiction treatment order.
The court stated the reasons for reducing the sentence from the first trial.
"The defendant is showing a willingness to quit drugs, and there is no record of punishment exceeding a fine."
Park's willingness to quit drugs and the absence of a record of punishment exceeding a fine in the past were the reasons for the reduction.
Drug crimes are serious crimes, but it seems to give the defendant a chance for rehabilitation if they show remorse and a willingness to improve.
Park made a shocking confession during a live broadcast on AfreecaTV in March 2023.
They revealed their drug use during the broadcast. Park later turned themselves in to the police and were indicted in October of last year.
Confessing to drug use in a public place like a live broadcast was shocking at the time. The fact that they turned themselves in likely had a positive effect on sentencing.
Park is accused of using drugs for a long period, from June 2021 to August 2023.
This shows that it was not a temporary curiosity or mistake but a continuous and repetitive crime.
The scale of the drugs Park purchased was also significant.
They are accused of purchasing approximately 150 million won worth of drugs, including ketamine, ecstasy, and marijuana.
The amount of 150 million won is a considerable amount for an individual to purchase for personal use. This figure shows how severe Park's drug dependence was.
The types of drugs Park used were also diverse.
They are accused of purchasing and using several types of drugs, including ketamine, ecstasy, and marijuana.
The severity of the addiction is further revealed by the fact that they used a combination of several drugs rather than just one.
Park's drug acquisition route was also revealed.
They reportedly received drugs from a YouTuber who was a former member of an organized crime group. This shows a connection to a drug distribution organization.
What is even more serious is that they did not use drugs alone.
Park is also accused of using drugs with acquaintances at their home.
This is more problematic because it goes beyond a personal crime and involves providing drugs to others and using them together.
Park was an influencer who worked as 'BJ Seya' on AfreecaTV.
The fact that a person in a position to influence many viewers as a broadcaster committed a drug crime had a significant social impact.
Park's confession and surrender during a live broadcast were unusual.
Most drug offenders try to hide it until the end, but Park chose to confess and surrender publicly. This may have worked in their favor in sentencing.
However, some pointed out that the confession on the broadcast itself may have been due to the influence of drugs.
The reduced sentence in the second trial appears to be the result of considering Park's remorse, willingness to quit drugs, and surrender.
However, the severity of drug crimes has been recognized, as a sentence of two years in prison is still imposed.
The 40-hour drug addiction treatment order means giving a chance for rehabilitation beyond simple punishment.
Because drug addiction also has aspects of a disease, treatment should be combined with punishment to prevent recurrence.
This incident raised awareness of drug crimes among many people as a drug crime by an influencer.
In particular, the fact that an influencer with influence on young people has fallen into drugs is an example of how close drugs are to our society.
Hopefully, Park will receive good treatment and return to society without relapse.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/roadtowrestling/224058190411
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