Somang Prison Staff Demands 40 Million Won from Kim Hojung: Ministry of Justice Files Criminal Charges

Ministry of Justice Confirms Demand for Loan and Acts of Intimidation Against Kim

Singer Kim Hojung, accused of drunk hit-and-run, bowed his head as he appeared at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on May 24 last year for a warrant hearing.

The Ministry of Justice has decided to file criminal charges against a staff member of Somang Prison, a private correctional facility, for demanding money from singer Kim Hojung, who is currently serving a sentence for drunk driving and hit-and-run charges.

On November 21, the Ministry of Justice announced that it had confirmed that staff member A at Somang Prison demanded a loan from Kim and also engaged in acts of intimidation during the process.

The Ministry of Justice ordered the warden of Somang Prison to file criminal charges against A for demanding a bribe, attempted extortion, and violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and to impose severe disciplinary action.

Previously, in September, the Ministry of Justice received a report suggesting that A had demanded 40 million won from Kim and instructed the Seoul Regional Correction Headquarters to conduct a fact-finding investigation. It was reported that A told Kim, "I selected you so that you could be admitted to Somang Prison, so give me 40 million won in return." However, it was confirmed that no actual money was exchanged.

Somang Prison is the only private correctional facility in South Korea, where civilian staff, not government officials, are hired separately to perform correctional officer duties.

After receiving a final sentence of two years and six months in prison in May, Kim was transferred from Seoul Detention Center to Somang Prison in August this year.