[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] A driver who caused the death of a 6-year-old child by driving under the influence after drinking during the day was sentenced to 8 years in prison in the first trial.
On the 12th, Judge Kwon Kyung-sun of Criminal Division 11 at the Seoul Western District Court sentenced Kim Mo (59), who was tried on charges including causing death by dangerous driving under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Special Act), to 8 years in prison.
On September 6 last year, around 3:30 p.m., Kim was driving a passenger car after drinking alcohol in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, when he caused an accident. Kim hit a streetlight near the sidewalk, and the fallen streetlight struck and killed Lee Mo (6). A passerby nearby was also injured. Kim was arrested and indicted.
At the time, Kim’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.144%, which is at the level for license cancellation. The court stated, "Due to the defendant’s drunk driving, the 6-year-old Lee Mo hit his head on the falling streetlight and ultimately died, resulting in an irreversible outcome. Also, the defendant has a prior record of being fined for drunk driving, so strict punishment is necessary."
The court explained that the charges of causing death and injury by dangerous driving under the Special Act applied to Kim were enacted to raise awareness about drunk driving and to establish laws that align with public sentiment, and thus should be viewed differently from ordinary traffic accidents.
The court added, "Although the bereaved family does not intend to forgive and does not wish to contact the defendant, and thus no message was conveyed, considering that the defendant, who was arrested immediately after the accident, repeatedly wrote apology letters expressing remorse toward the victims and their families and regret for himself, the sentence was determined after considering various circumstances."
Since the first trial in November last year, Kim has admitted all charges and has submitted apology letters to the court almost daily. The prosecution requested a 10-year prison sentence for Kim at the sentencing hearing held last month.
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