License Revocation Level, Reduced Sentence for Drunk Drivers
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] A driver who caused the death of a day laborer while driving under the influence received a reduced sentence in the appellate court.
The Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Appeals Division 3 (Chief Judge Heo Ilseung) sentenced Kwon (31) to 3 years and 6 months in prison on the 13th for charges including dangerous driving causing death under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. This is half the sentence of 7 years handed down by the first trial court last year. The reduction was due to a settlement with the bereaved family and changes in the scope of punishment.
Regarding this, the court stated, "He submitted several sincere letters of reflection and expressed apologies to the bereaved family, leading to a settlement," and added, "Considering the change in the indictment following the Constitutional Court's ruling on the Yoon Chang-ho Act, which altered the scope of punishment," explaining the reasons for the sentencing.
Kwon was tried on charges of driving a Mercedes-Benz at 148 km/h while intoxicated in the early morning of May 24 last year, hitting and killing a worker performing road work. At the time of the accident, the worker A's blood alcohol concentration was 0.188%, which is at the level for license cancellation.
At the sentencing hearing in March, A said, "I cannot forgive myself when I think of the person who died unjustly," and added, "I will live reflecting on this until the day I die."
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