‘Soft bat’ punishment brings new tragedy

<<Ryu Ye-ji's yellow card>>

TenAsia reporter Ryu Ye-ji takes a proper look at the entertainment industry incidents and accidents that are attracting the most attention.

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Crimes committed by stars that are easily forgotten. In the Korean entertainment industry, 'drugs, drunkenness, and assault' incidents are happening every time we forget them. However, many point out that amidst the mild punishment, celebrities are avoiding imprisonment and crime prevention is not being achieved.

Even if they commit a serious crime, the situation often ends with a mild punishment such as probation or a small fine. Celebrities' response methods are becoming increasingly specialized, such as forming ultra-luxurious defense teams to avoid imprisonment. It is pointed out that the more celebrities avoid severe punishment in this way, the more their image is damaged, and the public perception of 'courtesy of all public figures' is strengthened.

In the past, stars did not often avoid prison sentences like they do now. Rapper E-Sens (Kang Min-ho), who tried smoking marijuana several times, was sentenced to prison despite appealing for leniency. He was sentenced to one year and two months in prison and two years of probation by the Seoul Central District Court in April 2012 on charges of smoking marijuana in 2011. Afterwards, in April 2015, he was caught smoking marijuana again and was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison. This is because the rate of prison sentences for repeat offenders is high.

Broadcaster Amy was criminally punished three times. He was sentenced to eight months in prison and two years of probation for taking propofol in 2012. In 2014, while on probation, he was re-tried on charges of taking zolpidem, a psychotropic drug, without a doctor's prescription, and was fined 5 million won.

Amy was deported for drug use, but returned to the country and started using drugs again. It had been 13 days since I entered the country. He was indicted on charges of using methamphetamine and ketamine, and was sentenced to three years in prison for committing a similar crime.

Rapper Kush was also sentenced to two years and six months in prison and four years of probation for inhaling cocaine several times. Rapper Iron, who died at the age of 29, was also embroiled in controversy when he was sentenced to eight months in prison and two years of probation for smoking marijuana during his lifetime. He was additionally indicted on charges of assaulting his girlfriend, and after an appeal, he was sentenced to eight months in prison and two years of probation.

On the other hand, actress Kim Sae-ron, who hit a street tree and a transformer while driving while intoxicated, was sentenced to a fine of 20 million won in the first trial. Composer Don Spike, who was accused of purchasing 45.6 million won worth of Philopon and taking the drug 14 times, was sentenced to probation in the first trial. Of course, it was a first-time offender, but the fact that Philopon was highly addictive among drugs and that the medication period was long and repetitive were factors that were disadvantageous to Don Spike. Also, considering that he was a celebrity with a great influence on the public, many people pointed out that the suspended sentence was a bit rash.

Soft punishment reduces crime prevention. Getting behind the wheel while drunk is considered a potential murder. Drugs such as propofol and marijuana are not simply personal deviations. Drug circulation increases due to the drugs one consumes. When there is demand, there is supply. As the supply of drugs increases, related crimes also increase. In the end, the idea that I am the only one is making the entire society sick from drugs. This is why most countries impose strict penalties on drugs. Among these, many developed countries severely punish celebrities' drugs because they have a large public impact.

Whenever an incident occurs, the stars only promise 'severe reflection.' There is no real reflection in the soft punishment. If the punishment for the perpetrator is lenient and follow-up measures are limited, incidents and accidents in the entertainment industry are bound to be repeated. They shouldn't be used as a 'test case' just because they're celebrities, but on the other hand, there's no reason to limit punishment to them just because they're celebrities.

Ryu Ye-ji, Ten Asia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr