Prosecution Charges Shin Hyesung for Driving Someone Else's Car While Intoxicated

Refusal of Breath Test and Illegal Use of Vehicle Charges

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Shin Hyesung (43), a member of the group Shinhwa, who was caught sleeping on the road while driving someone else's car home in a drunken state, has been brought to trial.

The Criminal Division 4 of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Seunggeol) announced that Shin was indicted on charges of refusing a breathalyzer test and driving someone else's car home (refusal of breathalyzer test and illegal use of a vehicle under the Road Traffic Act).

On October 10 last year, Shin drank at a restaurant in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and drove someone else's car home early the next morning.

After riding in a car driven by a designated driver and dropping off a passenger in Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, Shin drove the car himself to Tancheon 2 Bridge in Songpa-gu, Seoul, and fell asleep with the car stopped in the middle of the road. Police who responded to a report of a vehicle stopped in the middle of the road arrested Shin on the spot after he refused the breathalyzer test.

The police also investigated whether Shin had driven a stolen vehicle but concluded that he had no intention of stealing the car and applied the charge of illegal use of a vehicle.