Among 289 members, 286 voted in favor
The so-called 'Kim Ho-jung Prevention Act,' which punishes obstructive behavior during police alcohol testing through the method of drinking alcohol after driving under the influence, known as 'sultagi,' has passed the National Assembly.
Singer Kim Ho-jung, who is accused of drunk hit-and-run, is answering questions from the press as he is being transferred to the prosecution at Gangnam Police Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 31st. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 14th, the National Assembly held a plenary session and passed the partial amendment to the Road Traffic Act with 286 votes in favor and 3 abstentions out of 289 members present.
This bill prohibits individuals who have reasonable grounds to be considered intoxicated from engaging in acts that could affect their blood alcohol concentration, such as drinking alcohol after driving a car or riding a bicycle. Violators will face imprisonment for one to five years or a fine ranging from 5 million to 20 million won. The penalty is the same as for refusing an alcohol test.
If a person obstructs alcohol testing, their driver's license will be revoked, and the disqualification period for re-obtaining the license will be applied equally to those who refuse alcohol testing. The bill also includes provisions for aggravated punishment for those who have driven under the influence two or more times within ten years or who have refused or obstructed alcohol testing.
Discussions on the necessity of this law began in May after singer Kim Ho-jung caused a car accident in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. After colliding with a taxi while driving and fleeing the scene, Kim drank a can of beer. Although the prosecution suspected drunk driving, it was difficult to determine the exact blood alcohol level, so Kim was indicted excluding the charge of drunk driving. On the previous day, Judge Choi Min-hye of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 26 sentenced Kim to two years and six months in prison in the first trial for charges including dangerous driving causing injury and hit-and-run under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, and failure to take measures after an accident under the Road Traffic Act.
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