Kim Hojung's First Trial... Concluded in 12 Minutes
Fans Flock to Court... Impersonation of Kim Hojung's Mother
"Our Child Is Timid... Please Don't Hate Too Much"
The first trial of trot singer Kim Ho-jung (32), who was indicted on charges including 'hit-and-run under the influence,' was held. During the trial, a woman impersonating Kim Ho-jung's mother appeared, causing confusion.
On the 10th, Judge Choi Min-hye of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 26 held the first hearing of Kim Ho-jung, who was detained and indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing injury), hit-and-run causing injury, failure to take measures after a traffic accident under the Road Traffic Act, and aiding the escape of a criminal. The first hearing concluded about 12 minutes after it began.
On that day, Kim Ho-jung, dressed in a black suit, limped into the courtroom. His lawyer said, "We have not yet finished copying and reviewing the case records," and added, "We will state our position on the charges at the next hearing." Meanwhile, Lee Kwang-deuk, the agency representative, and Mr. Jeon, the head of the headquarters, admitted to the charges.
Many fans gathered in the courtroom to see Kim Ho-jung, who was on trial while in custody. Even a person claiming to be Kim Ho-jung's mother appeared, attracting attention. In an interview with a media outlet, she said, "Our child (Kim Ho-jung) did do wrong," but also added, "He is timid. I hope people do not hate him too much," shedding tears. However, according to YTN's coverage, Kim Ho-jung's real mother did not come to the court that day, and the person who gave the interview was found to be impersonating Kim Ho-jung's mother.
Kim Ho-jung's fans also conducted a petition campaign before the trial. The court revealed that more than 110 petitions were submitted regarding the case. Most of the petitions reportedly appealed for leniency towards Kim Ho-jung.
Earlier, on May 9th at around 11:40 p.m., Kim Ho-jung was driving under the influence on a road in Apgujeong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, when he collided with a taxi and fled the scene. After fleeing, Kim Ho-jung attempted to conceal the crime several times, including coercing an agency employee to falsely surrender and refusing to provide passwords for his three mobile phones seized by the police.
Kim Ho-jung, who initially denied drunk driving, admitted to the crime ten days after the accident, after completing his scheduled concert. The police forwarded the case to the prosecution, including the drunk driving charge, but the charge was excluded at the indictment stage because it was difficult to confirm the blood alcohol level based solely on back-calculation. As the so-called 'drinking after the accident' method to evade drunk driving charges became known, the political sphere is discussing the 'Kim Ho-jung Prevention Act' to impose heavier penalties for such cases.
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