Singer Kim Ho-joong, who is accused of causing an accident while intoxicated and then fleeing the scene, will be spending the new year in a detention center.

According to the legal community on the 9th, Judge Choi Min-hye of the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court decided on the 5th to renew the detention period of Kim Ho-joong, who was sent to trial on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving resulting in death).

According to the Criminal Procedure Act, a defendant awaiting trial can be detained for up to 6 months, with 2 months being detained each time during the first trial.

Kim Ho-joong‘s detention period was extended twice in August and October while his trial was in progress. With the extension of his detention period confirmed today, it appears he will remain in the detention center until February of next year.

Meanwhile, on November 13, the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Criminal District Court (Judge Choi Min-hye) sentenced Kim Ho-jung, who was indicted for dangerous driving resulting in death in violation of the Special Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Crimes, hit-and-run resulting in death in violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Crimes, failure to take action after an accident in violation of the Road Traffic Act, and aiding and abetting the escape of a criminal, to 2 years and 6 months in prison.

Kim Ho-jung is accused of driving drunk on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul at around 11:40 PM on May 9, crossing the center line and colliding with a taxi on the opposite road before fleeing the scene and having his manager, Mr. Jang, turn himself in on his behalf.

Three hours after the accident, Ms. Jang went to the police wearing Kim Ho-jung’s clothes and falsely turned himself in, claiming that he was the driver. Kim Ho-jung, who appeared at the police station 17 hours after the accident, avoided the drunk driving charge by deliberately drinking more alcohol, also known as ‘drinking’, to avoid punishment for drunk driving. But in the end, Kim Ho-joong admitted to the crime ten days after the accident.

Choi Yun-na, Donga.com reporter yyynnn@donga.com