MC Dingdong, Who Caused Drunk Driving and Injured Police Officer... Suspended Sentence in First Trial

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] MC Dingdong (43, Heo Yong-woon), who fled after being caught for drunk driving, was sentenced to probation in the first trial.

At around 10 a.m. on the 21st, the Seoul Northern District Court Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judge Oh Kwon-cheol) sentenced Heo, who is charged with violating the Road Traffic Act, causing injury while obstructing a special official, and obstructing a special official, to 1 year and 6 months in prison with 2 years probation. The prosecution had requested a 3-year prison sentence at the trial on the 7th.

The court stated, "The crime is serious and blameworthy as he fled during a drunk driving crackdown and caused injury to a police officer," but added, "He has no prior criminal record exceeding a fine related to traffic accidents, and he reached a settlement with the injured police officer, who does not wish for Heo to be punished."

Earlier, on February 17th, Heo was caught by police while drunk driving near Hawolgok-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Heo fled during the drunk driving crackdown, injuring a police officer who attempted to conduct a breathalyzer test and crashing into a police car during the incident. The breathalyzer result showed Heo had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, which is at the level of license cancellation.

At the first trial in May, Heo admitted to all the charges. Additionally, at the trial held on the 7th, Heo’s defense attorney explained to the court, "For the defendant, who works in broadcasting, drunk driving means losing his means of livelihood," and "He committed the crime out of confusion and fear while stopped during the crackdown."

Heo is a former SBS 9th generation public comedian and has been active as a pre-broadcast MC.