The actor was willing to pay a much higher price than the average to use the addictive substance.
After Yoo Ah In was arrested for being positive to a list of drugs, netizens are curious about his cocaine purchase. According to Koreaboo, the drug is sold in Korea at around 170 million Korean won for 1 kilogram, shocking fans at how much Yoo Ah In was willing to lavish on drug use. Due to its sky-high price, cocaine is not as easily accessed as other substances.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that the average price of cocaine usually approximates 28 thousand USD (nearly 37 million Korean won). However, due to various reasons, the real market price of the drug in Korea was much higher.
Seung Jae Hyun from the Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice shared with Channel A on the reality of cocaine purchase and use in Korea: “Less than 10 people per year are caught for cocaine use in Korea. In 2021, we had only 7. Cocaine is not that accessible in Korea… So for [Yoo Ah In] to have tested positive for cocaine of all drugs, there’s no excuse he could give.”
On March 1st, the National Forensic Service found out Yoo Ah In was positive with 4 illegal substances, including propofol, marijuana, ketamine and cocaine. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has asked the police to investigate the actor since November last year after they learnt that Yoo Ah In frequently received propofol medication from different hospitals starting from early 2021.
Yoo Ah In is to serve the court on March 14th. The actor’s representative confirmed the information. His phone has also been collected for investigation.
Source: K14
