"Hit-and-Run Motorcycle" vs "First Hit and Threaten": The Truth Game of the Kim Heung-guk Incident

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The case involving singer Kim Heung-guk (62), who was booked on charges of violating a traffic signal in broad daylight, hitting a motorcycle, and fleeing the scene without taking responsibility, is turning into a "truth game" scenario.

On the 6th, Kim issued a press release through his agency, Karamedia, explaining the situation at the time of the accident. Kim claimed that the other driver hit his car and then threatened him with monetary demands.

According to the police, Kim is accused of violating a traffic signal and making an illegal left turn while driving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) at an intersection in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, around 11:20 a.m. on the 24th of last month, hitting a motorcycle and fleeing the scene (charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes for hit-and-run injury).

At the time, the motorcycle also entered the intersection against a yellow light, and the driver is reported to have sustained leg injuries from the accident. Kim was immediately investigated by the police on the day of the accident. The police confirmed that he was not under the influence of alcohol during the investigation.

Kim’s side explained the situation at the time of the incident, saying, "I was trying to make a left turn at a non-protected left turn lane when the motorcycle lightly tapped the license plate and passed by," adding, "If I had hit it hard or if the driver had fallen, I would have gotten out of the car, but since he just left, I thought it was not a big deal and moved on."

They continued, "Later, it turned out that the driver saw the car number and reported it, and the police contacted me for an investigation," adding, "I underwent both alcohol and drug tests, and the insurance company also came to the scene."

Kim’s side claimed, "However, the motorcycle driver has been making daily extortion threats, saying he is in difficulty and demanding an absurd amount of 35 million won." In fact, a black box video from Kim’s vehicle was revealed on a broadcast. The video shows Kim stopping briefly while driving, and the motorcycle passing by, brushing against the front part of the car.

With conflicting statements from both sides, the police plan to investigate the exact circumstances of the incident based on the black box footage and testimonies.