Singer Kim Heung-guk Fined 7 Million Won for Hit-and-Run on Motorcycle

Singer Kim Heung-guk

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Singer Kim Heung-guk (62), who was prosecuted for hitting a motorcycle while driving and failing to handle the scene, was sentenced to a fine.

According to the legal community on the 12th, Judge Choi Yoo-shin of Criminal Division 11 at the Seoul Western District Court sentenced Kim, who was indicted on charges of hit-and-run injury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and violation of the Road Traffic Act (failure to take action after an accident), to a fine of 7 million won on the 4th.

Kim is accused of hitting a motorcycle while illegally turning left against a signal at the intersection in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, at around 11:20 a.m. on April 24, while driving a sports utility vehicle (SUV), and fleeing the scene. As a result of this accident, the motorcycle driver suffered injuries including a contusion and laceration on the right leg, requiring three weeks of treatment.

The court stated, "Although the defendant caused a traffic accident by violating the signal, damaging the other party's motorcycle and injuring the driver, he fled without taking any action, which is a serious offense," but added, "He admitted the crime and showed remorse, and the extent of the personal and material damage to the victim does not appear to be severe," explaining the reasons for sentencing.

Earlier, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office filed a summary indictment requesting a summary order without referring Kim to a formal trial, but the court referred Kim to a formal trial.