Park Sangmin Receives Suspended Prison Sentence Again in Second Trial for Third Drunk Driving Offense

Both Defendant's and Prosecution's Appeals Dismissed, Original Verdict Upheld
Previously Punished Twice for Drunk Driving

Actor Park Sangmin, who was brought to trial last year for his third drunk driving offense, received a suspended prison sentence in his appeal trial, following the same decision in the first trial.

On July 16, the Criminal Appellate Division 1-2 of the Suwon District Court (Presiding Judges Lee Heonsook, Kim Jonggeun, and Jeong Changgeun) dismissed both the defendant's and the prosecution's appeals and upheld the original verdict in Park's appeal hearing. Park had been indicted without detention on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act and was sentenced in the first trial to six months in prison, suspended for two years.

Actor Park Sangmin.

The court stated, "Considering that there have been no changes in circumstances during this appeal, the original sentence is appropriate."

Park was indicted for driving his Toyota while intoxicated on a road in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, around 8 a.m. on May 19, 2024. Before returning home, he fell asleep in an alley, where he was discovered by police who responded to a report from a witness. At the time, Park's blood alcohol concentration was confirmed to be 0.163%, a level high enough for license revocation.

Park had previously been punished twice for drunk driving. In February 2011, in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, he was caught driving a friend's car with a blood alcohol concentration at the license suspension level. In August 1997, also in Gangnam-gu, he was booked by police after causing a minor accident while driving under the influence.

Park made his debut in 1990 with the film "General's Son" and has since become widely recognized through appearances in numerous films and dramas.