Kim Tae-woo Riding a Private Ambulance Also Summarily Indicted
A private ambulance driver who gave singer Kim Tae-woo (42), formerly of the group god, a ride to an event and received money for it five years ago has been sentenced to prison.
On the 15th, Judge Hong Jun-seo of the Incheon District Court Criminal Division 5 announced that he sentenced private ambulance driver A (44), who was indicted for violating the Emergency Medical Service Act and driving without a license under the Road Traffic Act, to 1 year and 6 months in prison and a fine of 2 million won.
A was prosecuted on charges of giving Kim a ride in a private ambulance from Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do to an event venue in Seongdong-gu, Seoul in March 2018. At the time, an executive of the entertainment company to which Kim belonged told the event agency staff, "Using a private ambulance can avoid traffic congestion and get to the event venue faster," and provided A’s phone number. After receiving A’s contact information, the event agency staff asked A to give Kim a ride, and A received 300,000 won as payment.
The prosecution filed summary indictments against the entertainment company executive, the event agency staff, and Kim, who was in the private ambulance at the time, for violating the Emergency Medical Service Act. A summary indictment is a procedure in which the court can impose a sentence without trial if the prosecution requests it, judging that the case can be punished by fines or confiscation of property.
A is also charged with driving the ambulance without a license from August 2021 to March last year, despite having his license revoked after being caught driving under the influence. Judge Hong pointed out, "A was aware that his driver’s license had been revoked but persisted with unconvincing excuses." He added regarding the sentencing, "Considering his prior offenses such as drunk driving, it is necessary to impose a strict prison sentence."
Meanwhile, Kim debuted as the main vocalist of the group god in 1999 and is a famous singer with many hit songs. He began his solo career in 2009 with "Sarangbi" and recently held concerts with other god members.
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