Manager wears Kim Ho-joong's clothes and confesses... Forced investigation launched on 'hit-and-run charges'

Intense Interrogation During 8-Hour Overnight Investigation

The police have launched a forced investigation into trot singer Kim Ho-joong, who is accused of causing a traffic accident and fleeing in the heart of Gangnam, Seoul.

According to the police on the 15th, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul confirmed that the memory card of the black box in Kim's vehicle, who is suspected of violating the Road Traffic Act (failure to take measures after an accident), had disappeared, and applied for a search warrant the day before.

On the 9th, around 11:40 p.m., Kim caused a collision with an oncoming taxi while changing lanes in Sinsa-dong, Seoul, and then fled the scene. About two hours after the accident, a representative from his agency turned himself in wearing Kim's clothes. This raises suspicion of an attempt to switch drivers.

The police requested Kim to appear several times, but he only showed up at the police station around 4:30 p.m. on the 10th, 16 hours after the accident, and admitted that he was driving himself. While acknowledging the accident, Kim's side officially denied the suspicion of drunk driving, stating, "The alcohol test conducted at the police station showed no alcohol level." However, it is pointed out that it is difficult to determine whether he was intoxicated since the test was conducted 16 hours after the accident.

The memory card of Kim's vehicle black box also disappeared. It is reported that during an additional overnight investigation lasting about eight hours on the 14th, the police focused on investigating the whereabouts of the memory card and Kim's actions on the day of the incident. The police are also investigating Kim's manager, who has been booked, regarding the circumstances that led to the false confession. If the related charges are proven true, charges such as aiding a criminal or destroying evidence are also expected to be applied.

Meanwhile, Kim's side decided to proceed as scheduled with the ‘World Union Orchestra Super Classic: Kim Ho-joong & Primadonna’ performances, held over two days on the 23rd and 24th at the special stage KSPO Dome in the Olympic Gymnastics Arena, sparking controversy.