The Supreme Court upheld a 16-year prison sentence on Tuesday in a shocking case involving a doctor’s drug abuse and assault. The court confirmed the ruling against a doctor, surnamed Yeom, who violated the Narcotics Control Act and committed multiple sexual assaults.
The case of the doctor’s drug abuse and assault gained national attention after an unrelated car accident in August 2023. Yeom had illegally prescribed sedatives like propofol, midazolam, and ketamine to a Rolls-Royce driver named Shin. Later, Shin drove under the influence of those drugs and killed a pedestrian.
Despite an ongoing investigation, Yeom continued to perform medical procedures until October 2023. Authorities discovered he had injected propofol into patients without valid medical reasons. Yeom also conducted surgeries while his license remained suspended.
The most disturbing part of the doctor’s drug abuse and assault case involved unconscious female patients. Investigators found Yeom had sexually assaulted around 10 women while they were under anesthesia. He also took hundreds of explicit photos of the victims between January 2022 and October 2023.
The lower court described Yeom’s actions as extremely harmful to society. Judges stressed that his abuse of power and trust as a doctor demanded a harsh sentence. Initially, in June 2024, Yeom received a 17-year sentence and a fine of 5 million won.
In January, the court reduced the sentence to 16 years. Yeom admitted his crimes and paid 76 million won in compensation, prompting the court’s decision to lower the sentence.
The Supreme Court reviewed the appeal but found no reason to change the outcome. Therefore, the final sentence now stands at 16 years in prison with a fine of 5 million won.
Meanwhile, the driver Shin received 20 years in prison for causing the fatal accident. On appeal, his sentence dropped to 10 years. His case remains closely linked to the doctor’s drug abuse and assault, which provided the drugs involved in the tragedy.
Authorities continue to emphasize accountability in the medical field. This ruling on the doctor’s drug abuse and assault sends a strong message against unethical practices and patient abuse.
