"I Will Cooperate Honestly with the Investigation"... Kim Ho-jung Refuses to Submit Passwords for Three iPhones

Absence from the performance on the 24th due to the warrant hearing

Kim Ho-jung (33), a trot singer accused of fleeing the scene after causing an accident while driving under the influence in Gangnam, Seoul, is reportedly not cooperating with the investigation, including refusing to submit the passwords for three iPhones he used.

Singer Kim Ho-jung, who is accused of drunk hit-and-run, is appearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 24th for a warrant hearing (pre-arrest suspect interrogation). Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

The Cyber Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency received Kim’s iPhones from the Gangnam Police Station, but multiple media outlets reported on the 24th that they have been unable to conduct forensic analysis because they were not provided with the passwords. Kim is said to have responded, “I cannot provide the passwords because they contain private information.” For iPhones, forensic analysis is difficult without knowing the password.

Earlier, the police requested Kim Ho-jung to voluntarily submit his mobile phones, but he refused. On the 16th, during a search and seizure at Kim’s residence and other locations, the police secured three iPhones. It is highly likely that these phones contain multiple pieces of evidence related to the incident. Although Kim’s side promised to cooperate with the police investigation after being questioned at the Gangnam Police Station on the 21st, his actual behavior during the investigation has been completely different.

After the Warrant Hearing, Handcuffed and Boarded the Transport Vehicle

Singer Kim Ho-jung, who is accused of drunk hit-and-run, is leaving the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and heading to a transport vehicle after completing the pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant review) on the 24th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On that day, Shin Young-hee, the presiding judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, conducted a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing) for about 50 minutes starting at 12:30 p.m. After the hearing, Kim was handcuffed and led by police officers to board the transport vehicle.

Even upon arriving at the court at 10:58 a.m., when reporters asked questions such as “There is a statement from a bar employee that you drank three bottles of soju; is that a lie?” “Did you personally remove the memory card?” and “Why did you leave the scene immediately after the accident?” Kim repeatedly responded only with “I’m sorry.”

Performance on the 23rd Proceeded... Absent from the 24th Performance Due to Warrant Hearing

Kim did not attend the performance on the day due to the warrant hearing schedule. The concert organizer, Dumir, announced on the Melon Ticket booking site on the afternoon of the 23rd that “Singer Kim Ho-jung, originally scheduled to perform at the ‘World Union Orchestra Super Classic: Kim Ho-jung & Primadonna’ concert on the 24th, will be absent,” adding, “Other performers will proceed with the concert as planned. Those who wish to cancel their reservations due to the change in performers can apply for cancellation until 8 p.m. on the 24th and will receive a full refund.”

Kim’s agency initially insisted on proceeding with the performances on the 23rd and 24th and requested a postponement of the warrant hearing, but after the court rejected the request, he ultimately did not attend the performance on that day.