Sentenced to Two Years and Six Months, Currently Serving Time at Somang Correctional Institution
Eligible for Parole Review After Serving One-Third of Sentence
Attention Focused on Final Decision by Parole Review Committee
Singer Kim Hojoong, who is currently serving a prison sentence after being convicted of a hit-and-run while driving under the influence, has been included as a candidate for parole review on Christmas.
According to the legal community on December 5, Kim Hojoong is serving his sentence at Somang Correctional Institution after being sentenced to two years and six months in prison. He has been included in the Christmas parole review conducted by the Parole Review Committee under the Ministry of Justice.
Under current law, inmates sentenced to a fixed-term imprisonment become eligible for parole review after serving at least one-third of their sentence. It is reported that Kim Hojoong was automatically included as a candidate based on criteria such as age, motive for the crime, type of offense, and risk of reoffending.
However, given the serious social impact of his charges-driving under the influence and hit-and-run-there are predictions that the likelihood of actual parole being granted is low.
Kim Hojoong was put on trial for driving under the influence and crossing the center line before colliding with an oncoming taxi and fleeing the scene on the night of May 9 last year in the Apgujeong-ro area of Gangnam-gu, Seoul. It was also revealed that after the accident, he had his manager turn himself in on his behalf.
Initially, Kim Hojoong denied being under the influence, but ten days after the accident, he admitted to all related charges.
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