Gyeongbuk Gimcheon-si, 2021 'Kim Ho-jung Sorigil' Established
Kim Ho-jung Fan Cafe Index Decorated in Purple
Netizens "Remove It Quickly" Complaints
Trot singer Kim Ho-jung (33) has caused controversy over allegations of 'drunk hit-and-run,' and the city of Gimcheon in Gyeongbuk, where a street symbolizing Kim was created, is facing difficulties.
Gimcheon City, Gyeongbuk: "No plans or considerations for demolition"
Gimcheon City denied reports by some media outlets about considering the demolition of 'Kim Ho-jung Sound Street,' stating on the 21st that "there are no considerations or plans for demolition." A representative from Gimcheon City's Tourism Promotion Division told Yonhap News, "Since the investigation regarding Kim is ongoing, it is not a situation for the city to make a judgment," adding, "There must be continuity in administration, so it cannot be changed arbitrarily." However, the representative added, "If demolition becomes necessary, procedures such as public hearings must be followed, so we are monitoring the situation."
Established in 2021, 'Kim Ho-jung Sound Street' is a specialized tourist street created with 200 million won along a roughly 100-meter alley from Gimcheon Arts High School to Gyodong Yeonhwaji, featuring murals, photo zones, and galleries. Kim is an alumnus of Gimcheon Arts High School, and the street is decorated in purple, the symbolic color of Kim's fan cafe. It is known that at least 100,000 tourists visited the street last year.
Netizens who heard the news responded with comments such as "This is ridiculous. Shouldn't it be demolished naturally?", "Demolition is reasonable," and "I don't understand why there are murals just because Kim Ho-jung did something significant." However, some fans are opposed to the demolition. One fan pointed out, "The conviction is not even confirmed yet, so demolition is out of the question."
'Drunk Hit-and-Run Allegation' Kim Ho-jung Appeared at Police Station Privately on the 21st
Meanwhile, Kim is accused of causing an accident by colliding with a taxi on the opposite side of the road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, around 11:40 p.m. on the 9th, and fleeing the scene (charges include hit-and-run causing injury under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and failure to take measures after an accident). After the accident, Kim left the scene and went to a hotel in Gyeonggi Province, then appeared at the police station at 4:30 p.m. the next day, about 17 hours later.
Three hours after the accident, Kim's manager wore Kim's clothes and falsely confessed to the police that he caused the accident, and the head of the agency removed the black box memory card from Kim's vehicle, revealing circumstances suggesting they tried to conceal the crime systematically. Kim appeared privately at the police station on the 21st and was investigated. After the police investigation, Kim said, "If there are remaining investigations, I will sincerely cooperate," and apologized, saying, "I am sorry."
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