“Questions as to whether he took even the slightest responsibility.”

Trot singer Kim Ho-joong (32), who caused a ‘Drunken hit-and-run’ controversy, was finally struck down by the law after being sentenced to prison in the first trial.

On the morning of the 13th, Judge Choi Min-hye of the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim Ho-joong, who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving resulting in death and hit-and-run resulting in death) and failing to take action after an accident under the Road Traffic Act, to 2 years and 6 months in prison.

Kim Ho-joong was brought to trial on charges of driving while intoxicated on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul at around 11:40 p.m. on May 9, crashing into a taxi on the opposite road and fleeing the scene. Immediately after the accident, instead of Kim Ho-joong, his manager, Jang Mo, made a false confession, and was embroiled in suspicions of ‘switching drivers’.

He appeared at the police station 17 hours after the incident and admitted to driving. Initially, he denied the suspicion of drinking, but after CCTV footage and other evidence revealed that he had been drinking, he finally admitted to it about ten days later.

On that day, Judge Choi pointed out that Kim Ho-joong‘s irresponsible fleeing and falsely having his manager turn himself in to the investigative authorities “caused confusion in the initial investigation, and this process was a significant waste of police investigative power.”

He then stated that regarding his behavior of urging others, including executives and employees of his agency, to handle the case, “I question whether he has any sense of responsibility for his own wrongdoing,” and explained the reason for his sentencing, saying, “The circumstances after the crime are poor, as he is seen staggering under the influence of alcohol on the objective evidence, CCTV, and is denying it with an unconvincing excuse.”

The court also sentenced former CEO Lee and headquarters director Jeon Mo, who are accused of urging manager Jang to turn himself in to the police instead of Kim Ho-joong immediately after the accident (inciting a criminal to flee), to two years and one year in prison, respectively. Sentenced to 6 months. The former CEO is also charged with ordering the removal of Kim Ho-joong’s getaway vehicle‘s black box (incitement to destruction of evidence).

Manager Jang was sentenced to 1 year in prison and 2 years of probation.


Reporter Yoo Ji-hye yjh0304@donga.com