"Judges Are Human Too, They Get Angry"…Criticism of Drunk Driver Who Took Away Yuyeon-su's Dream

Second Trial First Hearing... Prosecution and Defendant Claim Sentencing Unfairness
Next Hearing Scheduled for Next Month

A man in his 30s who caused the death of former Jeju United goalkeeper Yoo Yeon-su’s playing career in a drunk driving accident posted a deposit of 8.2 million won, prompting a judge to voice strong criticism.

The Criminal Division 1 of Jeju District Court (Chief Judge Oh Chang-hoon) held the first appeal trial on the afternoon of the 14th for Mr. A, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing injury).

Mr. A was previously sentenced to four years in prison in the first trial. The prosecution appealed, arguing that the sentence was too light, while Mr. A also appealed, claiming the sentence was too harsh.

Yoo Yeon-su greeting fans while walking around the ground at the retirement ceremony. [Image provided by Korea Professional Baseball Federation]

During the trial, the court questioned Mr. A’s posting of the criminal deposit, saying, “You posted 8.2 million won for a 25-year-old young man who is paralyzed from the waist down. Are you mocking the victim? Are you ridiculing him?” The judge added, “Judges are human too, and after reading the first trial’s judgment, I was angry,” and criticized, “Even if the defendant’s circumstances are pitiful, the victim has lost his future.”

The next hearing is scheduled for next month.

Mr. A is accused of driving under the influence with a blood alcohol concentration above the license cancellation level (0.08% or higher) at around 5:40 a.m. on October 18, 2022, at an intersection in Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo City, exceeding the speed limit and colliding with another vehicle, injuring five occupants. The victim vehicle included Jeju United goalkeepers Kim Dong-jun, Yoo Yeon-su, Lim Jun-seop, and a trainer.

Among them, Yoo Yeon-su was seriously injured and underwent emergency surgery but suffered fatal injuries including paralysis from the waist down. Yoo Yeon-su devoted nearly a year to rehabilitation but ultimately decided to retire from active play at the young age of 25.

In addition, Mr. A is also accused of sexually assaulting a woman who was unable to resist on January 15 of last year.