Rapper Keith Ape Sentenced to 18 Months for Marijuana Use

Rapper Keith Ape, whose real name is Dongheon Lee, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for habitual marijuana use.

According to legal sources on the 25th, the Supreme Court's third division, led by Justice Lee Sook-yeon, upheld the lower court's ruling last month. Keith Ape was charged with violating the Narcotics Control Act (marijuana) and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, along with a mandatory 40-hour drug rehabilitation program.

Keith Ape faced multiple trials for smoking marijuana at his home and music studio from February 2023 to January 2024.

The first trial stated, "The defendant's actions are highly reprehensible, with a severe degree of drug addiction, and it is difficult to see a low risk of reoffending." It was noted that "the defendant committed these offenses during a probation period for previous drug-related crimes and even committed an offense on the same day after attending a drug test at the probation office." Keith Ape appealed the decision, but both the second trial and the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal.

Keith Ape gained popularity with his 2015 single 'It G Ma,' which reached number two on the Billboard K-pop video chart in the U.S. He was also charged with violating the Narcotics Control Act in 2021 and 2023, receiving suspended sentences.

Reporter: Kim Ji-won, TenAsia one@tenasia.co.kr