Actor Bae Sung-woo Drunk Driving
License Cancellation Level
Former Idol Group Member Himchan
Comedian Noh Woo-jin Also
Caught Driving After Drinking
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The 'Yoon Chang-ho Act (Revised Road Traffic Act)' strengthening penalties for drunk driving has been enacted, and criticism of drunk driving is growing louder. However, influential celebrities continue to defy this social atmosphere by drinking and getting behind the wheel, causing a series of incidents.
According to the police on the 3rd, actor Bae Sung-woo was caught driving after drinking at a gathering in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, last November. At the time, Bae recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, which is at the license cancellation level. The Gangnam Police Station in Seoul sent Bae to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment.
Bae gained great popularity playing the role of a journalist with a strong sense of justice in SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Fly, Gaechwonyong.' However, after the drunk driving incident became known, he faced criticism and eventually withdrew from the drama.
Through his agency, he said, "I accept all criticism and deeply repent and reflect," adding, "I apologize to many people I work with and will make every effort to prevent any harm." He continued, "I will be cautious and careful in all aspects and live a life of self-restraint so that such an incident never happens again," and "I bow my head once again to apologize to everyone who has supported me."
Kim Him-chan, former member of the idol group B.A.P, was also arrested by the police after causing an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol.
On October 26 last year, around 11:30 p.m., Kim caused an accident by hitting a guardrail while driving under the influence at Hakdong Intersection on Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu. Although there were no casualties, Kim's blood alcohol concentration at the time was at the license cancellation level.
Kim issued an official statement the day after the accident, saying, "I deeply apologize once again for causing social unrest due to the drunk driving accident yesterday, and I am deeply reflecting on the inappropriate and shameful incident that caused great disappointment to the public," adding, "From today onward, I will live a life of self-restraint and reflection."
Comedian Noh Woo-jin was also caught driving under the influence and was ultimately sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year probation in the first trial. He gained popularity as comedian Kim Byung-man's prot?g? in the popular KBS 2TV 'Gag Concert' segment 'Master.'
Noh was prosecuted for driving under the influence on Olympic-daero in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, last July. At the time of the arrest, Noh's blood alcohol concentration was at the license cancellation level, and it was confirmed that there were no passengers in the car.
After the first trial verdict, Noh's side stated, "We sincerely repent and will not appeal."
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