Active Prosecutor Caught Drunk Driving Again Two Weeks After Refusing Breathalyzer... Reason for Another Refusal Revealed

A current prosecutor who was prosecuted for driving under the influence again after refusing a police breathalyzer test partially denied the charges in the first trial.

According to Yonhap News and others on the 12th, Judge Lee Hyo-eun of the Criminal Division 5 at the Seoul Southern District Court held the first hearing for Prosecutor A, who was indicted for violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving and refusal to take a breathalyzer test).

The defense attorney for Prosecutor A admitted to the facts of the indictment but raised objections regarding the charge of refusal to take a breathalyzer test. The attorney argued that although the defendant refused the breathalyzer test, he requested a blood test, so the charge of refusal to take a breathalyzer test does not apply. The court decided to hold another hearing on the 17th of next month to hear additional opinions from both sides.

Prosecutor A is accused of driving under the influence on April 13 in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and refusing a blood test after being caught by the police. The police transported Prosecutor A to the hospital in a patrol car, but he got off and left the scene, according to the investigation. About two weeks later, on the 24th of the same month, he was found to have driven under the influence again in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. At that time, Prosecutor A's blood alcohol concentration was confirmed to be at the license suspension level. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office is conducting disciplinary procedures against Prosecutor A.