[Exclusive] Kim Ho-joong, ”Drunken hit-and-run” appeals 2 years and 6 months in prison ”immediate appeal”

Singer Kim Ho-joong, who was sent to trial on charges of running away after causing a car accident while drunk, dissatisfied with the prison sentence in the first trial and filed an appeal.

On the 13th, Criminal Division 26 (Judge Choi Min-hye) of the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim Ho-jung, who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Dangerous Driving Causing Injury to Death), to two years and six months in prison. In addition, Lee Kwang-deuk, former CEO of Kaesang Entertainment, and General Manager Jeon, who were indicted on charges of instigating the escape of criminals, were sentenced to two years in prison and one year and six months in prison, respectively. Manager Jang was sentenced to one year in prison.

Afterwards, lawyer Kim Ho-jung submitted an appeal against the first trial verdict on the 13th.

Kim Ho-jung is suspected of running away after colliding with a taxi while driving while drunk on Apgujeong Road in Gangnam-gu, Seoul at approximately 11:44 PM on May 9th. As a result of this accident, the taxi driver was diagnosed with a 2-week hiatus. Kim Ho-joong is also accused of urging an employee of his agency, Saeng Saeng Entertainment, to falsely surrender after running away. Immediately after the accident, Kim Ho-jung did not clean up the scene and moved to a hotel near Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do. He appeared at the police 17 hours later and admitted to driving.

Kim Ho-jung was sent to trial on charges of causing injury by dangerous driving and causing injury while fleeing under the Aggravated Punishment Act for Specific Crimes, failing to take action after an accident under the Road Traffic Act, and instigating criminals to flee. However, the prosecution did not apply a drunk driving charge because it was difficult to specify the exact level of alcohol consumption using the Widmark formula.

Former CEO Lee and Mr. Jeon were also caught trying to cover up the incident and were sent to trial together. They were charged with destruction of evidence and instigating criminals to escape. The court issued arrest warrants for Kim Ho-jung and former CEO Lee, saying, “There is a risk of destroying evidence.”

After Kim Ho-jung was first arrested on June 18, his detention period was extended twice and he was tried in detention. He applied for bail on August 21, but the court did not reach a conclusion on the bail application and renewed Kim Ho-jung’s detention period.

The court said, “Defendant Ho-joong Kim crashed a taxi while driving drunk, causing human and material damage, but irresponsibly ran away. He further caused confusion in the initial investigation by having his manager Jang falsely surrender himself to the investigative agency on his behalf, causing confusion in the initial investigation and reducing the police’s investigative power. “It was quite a waste,” he pointed out. He continued, “Kim Ho-joong called the CEO and the head of the department and asked them to handle the accident, urging others to take care of the crime he had committed,” and added, “He left behind a fictitious conversation and purchased beer in preparation for the investigation.”

Also, “Considering his overall attitude, it is questionable whether he felt any guilt about the mistake he committed. The circumstances after the crime were poor, such as denying it with an excuse that is difficult to understand even though he was seen staggering under the influence of alcohol on CCTV, which is objective evidence. “Do it,” he scolded.

The prosecution requested Kim Ho-jung to be sentenced to three years and six months in prison at a sentencing hearing on September 30. Regarding the sentence of 2 years and 6 months, which is lower than the previous sentence, the court explained the reason for the sentence by saying, “Although belatedly, the crime and the resulting responsibility were acknowledged, and the defendant Ho-jung Kim paid 60 million won to the victim and took into account the fact that he reached an agreement.” revealed.

Kim Ho-jung submitted his third reflection on October 28 ahead of the first trial sentencing. Reflections were also submitted on September 5 and October 16. In his final statement at the final hearing, he expressed leniency, saying, “I am truly sorry to the victim and reflect on my actions. I regret and reflect on the choice I made that day. I will try to live a life that does not repeat the same mistakes rather than a life of ten times better. I will come to my senses and live an upright life.” appealed.

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