Drunk Driving and Illegal Lodging... Moon Da-hye Fined 15 Million Won in First Trial

Court States "The Nature of the Crime Is Not Minor"

Moon Da-hye (42), daughter of former President Moon Jae-in, who was prosecuted on charges of drunk driving and illegal lodging business, was sentenced to a fine in the first trial.

Dahye Moon, daughter of former President Moon Jae-in, who was indicted on charges of drunk driving and illegal lodging business, is moving to a vehicle after the first trial sentencing hearing held on the 17th at the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Moon was sentenced to a fine of 15 million won that day. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 17th, Kim Hyung-seok, Chief Judge of Criminal Division 5 at the Seoul Western District Court, sentenced Moon to a fine of 15 million won for drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act and violation of the Public Health Control Act.

Judge Kim stated, "The defendant was charged with drunk driving and violation of the Public Health Control Act for operating a lodging business without registration," and added, "The defendant admitted all the charges, and considering the related evidence, all are judged to be guilty." He continued, "The defendant committed drunk driving and operated lodging businesses without registration at three locations, which is not a minor offense," and added, "The high blood alcohol concentration level, the long-term operation of the lodging business, and the large amount of sales are unfavorable factors for the defendant."

Moon is accused of driving under the influence and changing lanes in front of the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on October 5 last year, colliding with a taxi following behind. At the time of the accident, Moon's blood alcohol concentration was 0.149%, exceeding the license cancellation standard of 0.08%.

Moon is also accused of operating illegal lodging businesses without registration at an officetel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, a villa in Yangpyeong-dong, and a detached house in Hallim-eup, Jeju-si.

Previously, the prosecution requested a one-year prison sentence for Moon, stating, "Considering the high alcohol level at the time of drunk driving, the fact that the defendant caused personal and property damage traffic accidents due to drunk driving, and the high amount of approximately 136 million won in total revenue over about five years related to the violation of the Public Health Control Act."