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Actress Jang withdraws appeal in drug abuse case


Movie actress Jang Mi-in-ae has withdrawn her appeal of a local court’s ruling last year sentencing her to a suspended jail term for abusing propofol, an anesthetic used in surgeries, her attorney said.

 “It is not that she admits the charge. The decision was made based on her judgment that she stands little chance of victory in another round in court,” said Jeong Dae-hwa, Jang’s attorney.

The 29-year-old star was among the three female celebrities who in November were sentenced to eight months in jail, suspended for two years, for recreationally abusing the drug. Jang had filed for an appeal immediately, while the other two -- Lee Seung-yeon and Park Shi-yeon -– did not.

With Jang’s decision not to contest the verdict, the case is now closed and penalties are final.

During the trial, the prosecution had accused the stars of receiving propofol injections at various hospitals even though they were not undergoing any type of surgery. 

Propofol, which has been classified as a psychotropic drug in 2011 here, is known to cause hallucinations and could lead to death if taken in excessive doses. The drug was blamed for the death of pop star Michael Jackson in 2009.

By Lee Sun-young (milaya@haraldcorp.com)