'Repeated Drunk Driving'... Suspended Sentence for Active Public Broadcaster Journalist's Habitual Drunk Driving

Second Drunk Driving Offense Following 2014 'Summary Order'... 1 Year Imprisonment, 2 Years Probation

[Asia Economy Reporter La Youngcheol] A current public broadcaster reporter was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year probation for habitual drunk driving.

The Chuncheon District Court Gangneung Branch (Chief Judge Kwon Sangpyo) announced on the 11th, "A, who was indicted for violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving), was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year probation and ordered to attend 40 hours of compliance driving lectures."

In the ruling, the court pointed out, "Despite the defendant's prior punishment for drunk driving, he committed the offense again. Considering the high blood alcohol concentration and the considerable distance driven while intoxicated, the nature of the crime is not light."

It continued, "However, taking into account that the defendant admitted his wrongdoing and is reflecting on it, that he has no other criminal record except the one mentioned, and considering other factors such as the defendant's age, character, family environment, motive and circumstances of the crime, means and methods, content and results, and post-crime circumstances, the court comprehensively reviewed all sentencing conditions shown in the records."

A, known as a reporter for M company in the Gangwon region, was brought to trial on charges of driving a high-priced imported passenger car in an intoxicated state with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.192% over approximately 36.9 km from the 'East Sea Central Market Parking Lot' in Balhandong, Donghae City, Gangwon Province, to the road in front of B Screen Golf Practice Range on Ipam-ro, Gangneung City, around 4:55 p.m. on December 12 last year.

Previously, on March 10, 2014, A received a summary order with a fine of 7 million won at the Chuncheon District Court Gangneung Branch for violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving) and other charges.

According to the enactment of the 'Yoon Chang-ho Act,' a driver's license is revoked if the blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher. If the blood alcohol concentration is between 0.03% and less than 0.08% and causes a personal injury accident, the license is also revoked.