'Trot Singer Kim Hojung Sentenced to Two Years and Six Months in Prison on Appeal for Drunk Hit-and-Run'

Trot singer Kim Hojung (33), who was sentenced to prison in the first trial on charges of drunk driving and hit-and-run, was also given a prison sentence of two years and six months in the second trial.

Trot singer Kim Hojung. Photo by Yonhap News

On April 25, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appellate Division 5-3 (Presiding Judges Kim Jiseon, So Byungjin, and Kim Yongjung) sentenced Kim, who was indicted and detained on charges of causing injury by dangerous driving and fleeing the scene under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, as well as failing to take measures after an accident under the Road Traffic Act, to two years and six months in prison, the same sentence as in the first trial.

Lee Gwangdeuk, CEO of Kim's agency Think Entertainment, and Jeon, the head of the agency, who were indicted together, were sentenced to two years in prison and one year and six months in prison, respectively. Manager Jang, who falsely turned himself in to the police in place of Kim, received a one-year prison sentence suspended for two years, which was upheld.

The court stated, "Based on the vehicle driving footage before and after drinking, and the National Forensic Service's evaluation of the defendant's walking condition, it appears that the amount of alcohol consumed by the defendant on the day was considerable. This cannot be regarded as a simple accident caused by manipulating a mobile phone," adding, "It is determined that the accident occurred because the defendant's judgment and ability to make decisions were significantly impaired due to alcohol consumption."

Kim was indicted and detained on charges of drinking alcohol and driving on Apgujeong-ro in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, at around 11:44 p.m. on May 9 last year, crossing the center line, colliding with a taxi on the opposite side of the road, fleeing the scene, and having his manager turn himself in on his behalf. However, prosecutors did not apply the charge of drunk driving, stating that it was difficult to determine the blood alcohol level based solely on retroactive estimation. During the appeals process, Kim submitted more than 130 letters of reflection, but the court's judgment did not change.