Singer Kim Ho-jung, who was sentenced to prison in the first trial for drunk hit-and-run charges, appealed for leniency in the first trial of his appeal, claiming that the original sentence was too harsh, while completely denying the allegations of using a 'drunk driving trick.'
The 5-3 Criminal Appeal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Ji-sun, So Byeong-jin, Kim Yong-jung) held the first public trial for Kim Ho-jung, who faces charges of causing injury while driving dangerously under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, fleeing the scene, and failing to report an accident under the Road Traffic Act, on the 12th.
During the appeal trial, the so-called 'drunk driving trick' of fleeing to avoid a breathalyzer test and then consuming more alcohol became a key issue. Kim Ho-jung's legal team completely denied the allegations.
Kim Ho-jung's lawyer stated, “If he had intended to use a drunk driving trick, he should have admitted to drinking to the police, but Kim Ho-jung denied it instead. He never thought of using a drunk driving trick,” and added, “If he had intended to use a drunk driving trick, he would have chosen strong liquor instead of canned beer.”
He continued, “It is hard to believe that a healthy man in his 30s would choose such alcohol to raise his blood alcohol concentration.”
He also mentioned that the extensive investigation records, which are about 3,500 pages long, contain only a very small amount of information related to the drunk driving trick, stating, “It seems that the investigative agency did not suspect the drunk driving trick. However, the prosecution definitively mentioned the drunk driving trick in the appeal summary.”
Additionally, Kim Ho-jung's side emphasized regarding the allegation that he made his manager falsely confess after driving under the influence, “He only acted as an accomplice based on the decisions made by the head of the agency and the manager, and he did not actively decide or lead the situation.”
Regarding the charge of causing injury while driving dangerously under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, he added, “There are many testimonies that it is difficult to consider him as being so intoxicated that normal driving was impossible, and we cannot conclude that Kim Ho-jung was unable to drive normally due to intoxication.”
Kim Ho-jung is accused of driving under the influence and hitting a taxi on the opposite side of the road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on May 9 of last year, and then fleeing the scene. He was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison in the first trial on November 1 of last year.
The next public trial date for Kim Ho-jung's appeal is scheduled for March 19.
[Son Jin-a, MK Sports Reporter]
