Court Sentences 6 Months Imprisonment with 2 Years Probation
Previously Caught Drunk Driving in 1997 and 2011
Actor Park Sang-min (54), who appeared in the movie 'Janggun-ui Adeul' (General's Son), has been sentenced to a suspended prison term for drunk driving charges.
According to Newsis on the 13th, Judge Jeon Seo-young of the Criminal Division 2 at Suwon District Court Anyang Branch sentenced Park Sang-min, who was indicted without detention for violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving), to six months in prison with a two-year suspension. He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of compliance driving education.
At the sentencing hearing held on October 25, the prosecution requested the court to sentence Park to six months in prison. The court stated, "Although the defendant has prior convictions of the same kind, considering that he admitted all criminal facts and deeply reflected on them, the court rules as such."
Actor Park Sang-min, who is accused of driving a vehicle on the road while intoxicated, is leaving the courthouse after attending the sentencing hearing held at the Suwon District Court Anyang Branch on the morning of the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, Park was accused of driving his Toyota vehicle on a road in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, in a drunken state around 8 a.m. on May 19. He was caught by police who responded to a witness's report after he fell asleep in an alley before returning home. At that time, Park's blood alcohol concentration was at the license cancellation level (0.08% or higher). It was confirmed that Park had been drinking with acquaintances at a bar in Gwacheon until early that morning.
In February 2011, Park was caught driving a junior colleague's vehicle in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, with a blood alcohol concentration at the license suspension level. In his final statement at the trial, he said, "I have reflected and resolved after having committed the same offense about ten years ago, but I regret my shortcomings and will ensure this never happens again." In response to the news, his agency issued an apology, stating, "We sincerely apologize for causing concern due to an incident involving our actor Park Sang-min that should never have happened. We deeply regret the irresponsible behavior that caused such controversy. The actor himself is sincerely remorseful and reflective."
However, Park Sang-min faced strong public criticism as this was not his first drunk driving offense. He was previously caught for drunk driving in 1997 and 2011. In 1997, he caused a collision while intoxicated and fled the scene but was caught by the police. In 2011, he was subjected to a license suspension due to drunk driving. Meanwhile, Park Sang-min debuted in 1990 with the movie 'Janggun-ui Adeul' and later appeared in dramas such as 'Jeolmeun-ui Yangji' (Young People’s Sunny Place) and 'Yeoin Cheonha' (Women of the Dynasty).
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