"I Will Pull Myself Together and Live Right" Kim Ho-joong Submits Third Letter of Reflection

Third Apology Letter Submitted Following September and October
"I Will Not Repeat the Same Mistake" Appeals for Leniency
Sentencing Results to Be Announced on the 13th

Singer Kim Ho-jung (33), who is accused of drunk hit-and-run, submitted his third letter of apology ahead of his sentencing scheduled for the 13th.

Trot singer Kim Ho-joong (33), who was arrested on charges of drunk hit-and-run, submitted his third letter of apology ahead of the first trial sentencing.

According to the legal community on the 11th, Kim Ho-joong wrote and submitted the third letter of apology to the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 26 (Judge Choi Min-hye) on the 28th of last month. This is known to be his third letter of apology following those on September 5 and October 16.

Earlier, on May 9 at around 11:40 p.m., Kim Ho-joong drove under the influence on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and crossed the center line. He collided with a taxi on the opposite side of the road and fled the scene, and it was investigated that he had his manager turn himself in on his behalf. Initially, Kim denied drunk driving, but when circumstances such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage surfaced, he admitted to the crime ten days after the accident, saying, "I sincerely apologize for causing hurt and disappointment to many people due to a moment of poor judgment." A representative of his agency also removed the black box storage device from the accident vehicle in an attempt to destroy evidence but later acknowledged his drinking, saying, "We were only focused on hiding the situation. We apologize for not acting truthfully."

Furthermore, Kim Ho-joong faced suspicion of using the so-called "sultagi" method, deliberately drinking more alcohol to avoid punishment for drunk driving. The prosecution stated that although Kim was intoxicated and unable to drive normally, they could not clearly specify his blood alcohol concentration at the time of the accident and therefore did not indict him on drunk driving charges.

On September 30, at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 26, during the sentencing hearing for violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing injury) and aiding the escape of a criminal, the prosecution requested a prison sentence of three years and six months for Kim Ho-joong, asking the court to consider the public outrage caused by the organized obstruction of justice. In his final statement, Kim expressed, "I am truly sorry to the victim. I regret and reflect on the choices I made that day," and pleaded for leniency, saying, "I will strive to live a life that does not repeat the same mistakes rather than one that is right ten times. I will pull myself together and live properly." The sentencing result is expected on the 13th.