Judge Scolding Kim Ho-jung: "Is It Fair for the Youngest Manager to Be Punished When It's the Same Person?"

Judge Criticizes Mention of 'False Confession' Demand
"Originally Walks Unsteadily" Video Also Submitted

The court reportedly reprimanded singer Kim Ho-jung (33), who underwent a detention hearing on the 24th for charges of drunk driving hit-and-run and driver substitution, saying, "They are the same person, so why is it that Kim Ho-jung should not be punished, but the youngest manager can be punished?"

Shin Young-hee, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, posed this question during Kim's pre-detention suspect interrogation (warrant hearing) held from 12:30 PM for about 50 minutes. Judge Shin's remark was made in reference to the fact that Kim had called another junior manager-level employee A (22) at his agency several times right after the accident, asking him to falsely confess on his behalf.

Singer Kim Ho-jung, who is accused of drunk hit-and-run, is bowing his head as he appears 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@

Judge Shin said, "They are all the same person, so is it acceptable for the powerless junior manager, a newcomer to society, to be punished for Kim Ho-jung?" It is known that the junior manager refused the request, saying he was "scared." Later, Kim's manager personally went to the police wearing the clothes Kim was wearing at the time of the accident and made a false confession.

Judge Shin also questioned Kim about not disclosing his cellphone password. Kim refused the voluntary submission request for his cellphone, resulting in the seizure of three iPhones. He still did not provide the passwords to the police. Regarding this, Kim reportedly responded, "I cannot provide the password because it contains private information." Kim also denied the police's claim that he staggered and got into the car while intoxicated, stating, "I usually stagger when I walk," and even submitted past videos to prove his point.

After the warrant hearing ended, around 1:23 PM, Kim came out of the courthouse and responded to the question, "How did you explain the charges?" by saying, "I'm sorry. I will reflect on my actions." After the hearing, he was handcuffed and escorted by police officers into a transport vehicle. Currently, Kim is waiting at the Seoul Gangnam Police Station detention center until the warrant decision is made. If the warrant is issued, he will be detained and investigated by the police; if not, he will be released immediately. The decision on detention is expected to be made later that afternoon at the earliest. Originally, Kim was scheduled to perform at the "World Union Orchestra Super Classic: Kim Ho-jung & Prima Donna" concert that day but was unable to attend due to the warrant hearing and related reasons.