'Drunk Driving Accident' Samsung's Kim Jin-young Sent to Prosecution

Unclear Memory of Accident Extends Police Investigation
Temporary Driver's License Issued... Driving Allowed Until Next Month

Professional basketball player Kim Jin-young of Seoul Samsung, who caused an accident while driving under the influence, was sent to the prosecution on the 25th. The photo shows Kim Jin-young attending the Finance Committee held at the KBL Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 4th of this month. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy reporters Seongpil Cho and Seungyoon Song] Kim Jin-young (23), a male professional basketball player for Seoul Samsung, who caused an accident while driving under the influence, was handed over to the prosecution on the 25th. It has been 50 days since the accident occurred.

The Yongin Western Police Station in Gyeonggi announced that Kim Jin-young was sent to the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving) that morning. The prosecution plans to assign the case to the responsible department and then decide whether to indict. Considering the charges and the extent of the damage, a summary indictment is expected. A summary indictment is a procedure where the prosecution requests a fine or penalty through written review instead of a formal trial. However, if the parties involved or the court raise objections, the case will be sent to a formal trial.

According to the police, Kim Jin-young is accused of driving under the influence around 10 p.m. on the 7th of last month on a road in Pungdeokcheon-dong, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, hitting the car in front of him and then colliding with another vehicle waiting at a traffic signal. There were three people in the accident vehicles, but they reportedly sustained minor injuries. It is known that Kim Jin-young caused the accident while returning to the nearby team dormitory. There were no passengers with him.

Kim Jin-young reportedly delayed his investigation citing settlements with the victims but appeared at the police station earlier this month. He admitted to the drunk driving charge but had unclear memories of the first collision, leading to additional questioning in mid-month. At the time of the accident, Kim Jin-young's blood alcohol concentration exceeded the license cancellation level of 0.08%, indicating he was heavily intoxicated. A police official said, "We cannot confirm the exact figure."

As the police investigation prolonged, the issuance of a temporary driver's license was also delayed. The temporary driver's license can be used during the 40-day period when the license cancellation administrative action is decided. It is usually issued after the police investigation is completed. Kim Jin-young's temporary driver's license was issued around mid-month after the initial investigation was delayed and additional questioning was conducted. The period during which he can legally drive lasts until the end of next month. If caught driving after that, he will be punished again for driving without a license.

Kim Jin-young did not voluntarily report the incident to his team or the Korean Basketball League (KBL) until it was revealed through media reports. After the media coverage, the KBL held a disciplinary committee separate from the police action and imposed a 27-game suspension, a fine of 7 million won, and 120 hours of community service on Kim Jin-young. Samsung also decided on a severe penalty of a 54-game suspension, a fine of 10 million won, and 240 hours of community service.

Kim Jin-young is also known as the son of former national team coach Kim Yu-taek, who is considered a male basketball ‘legend.’ Coach Kim was part of the ‘Heo-Dong-Taek Trio’ along with former coaches Heo Jae and Kang Dong-hee during his time at Kia Motors (now Ulsan Hyundai Mobis), dominating the 1980s and 1990s. Kim Jin-young is a promising player who was a youth national team member and was selected third overall by Samsung in the 2019 KBL Rookie Draft.