Kim Ho-jung, Third Detention Extension... Preparing for Appeal Trial in Detention Center Until February Next Year

Sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison in the first trial

The detention period of singer Kim Ho-jung (33), who was sentenced to prison in the first trial on charges of drunk driving and hit-and-run, has been extended. Kim, whose detention period had already been extended twice, will remain in custody until February next year while preparing for the appeal trial.

Singer Kim Ho-jung. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

According to the legal community on the 10th, Judge Choi Min-hye of the Criminal Division 26 at the Seoul Central District Court made a decision on the renewal of Kim's detention period on the 5th. Kim is on trial for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing injury) and other charges. The detention periods of former CEO Lee Kwang-deuk (41) and director Jeon (39) of the agency Saenggak Entertainment, who were also indicted on charges including aiding the escape of a criminal, were extended by two months as well.

Since Kim was detained in May, his detention period was extended twice in August and October. In August, he also requested bail, but the court did not make a decision and proceeded with the sentencing date. With the detention period extended once more on this day, Kim will remain in custody until February next year while preparing for the appeal trial. According to the Criminal Procedure Act, the initial detention period for a defendant is limited to two months, and if the court deems it necessary to continue detention, it can detain the defendant for up to six months in two-month increments.

Earlier, on May 9, Kim Ho-jung drove under the influence on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, collided with a taxi on the opposite lane, and fled the scene. Immediately after the accident, he denied the drunk driving charge by having his manager turn himself in on his behalf, but after CCTV footage and other evidence surfaced, he admitted to the crime ten days after the accident. A representative from his agency also admitted wrongdoing after initially attempting to destroy evidence by removing the black box storage device from the accident vehicle.

Kim is also suspected of using the 'sultagi' method, deliberately drinking more alcohol after the accident to avoid punishment for drunk driving. At the time, the police applied drunk driving charges and referred Kim to the prosecution, but since the exact blood alcohol concentration at the time of the accident could not be clearly determined, the prosecution had no choice but to exclude the drunk driving charge when indicting him.

During the trial, Kim submitted letters of apology three times, pleading for leniency. However, the first trial court sentenced Kim to 2 years and 6 months in prison on the 13th of last month. Additionally, former CEO Lee Kwang-deuk was sentenced to 2 years in prison, and director Jeon was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months for aiding the escape of a criminal. Kim Ho-jung's side appealed on the day of sentencing, and the prosecution also appealed, with both sides now preparing for the second trial.