Singer Kim Ho-jung faced allegations of using a 'drinking and driving' method after causing a drunk driving accident, but it has been revealed that there is insufficient evidence to support this claim based on the current investigation records and circumstances.
According to the legal newspaper on the 15th, the issue of whether Kim Ho-jung engaged in 'drinking and driving' is mentioned in about 2 pages of the police suspect interrogation record and only 9 lines in the prosecution's suspect interrogation record. This is minimal compared to the total of 11 volumes and 3,500 pages of investigation records.
The 'drinking and driving' method refers to the act of a person involved in a drunk driving accident consuming additional alcohol to interfere with the measurement of their blood alcohol concentration at the time of the accident. This involves purchasing and pretending to drink a stronger alcoholic beverage than what was consumed at the time of the accident, while actually discarding most of it, and then claiming that the measured level is due to the alcohol consumed after the accident.
Looking at the investigation details, it is difficult to conclude that Kim Ho-jung consumed alcohol to hide his blood alcohol concentration at the time of the accident. There are also mentions that his actions after the accident differ somewhat from the typical 'drinking and driving' method.
During the first trial of the appeal on the charges of aggravated punishment for dangerous driving and aiding a criminal on the 12th, Kim Ho-jung's lawyer stated, “The drinking and driving method is a typical pattern where one consumes strong alcohol in anticipation of a breathalyzer test, making accurate measurement impossible. However, the defendant was already aware that his manager would confess on his behalf and did not know he would be going to the police for a breathalyzer test.”
Kim Ho-jung was aware that his manager would confess and it is difficult to argue that he used the drinking and driving method in a situation where a breathalyzer test was not anticipated. The alcohol he purchased was also beer, which has a lower alcohol content than the soju he consumed before the accident.
The lawyer emphasized, “If it were drinking and driving, he would have consumed strong liquor instead of canned beer. It is hard to believe that a physically robust man in his 30s would choose such a drink to raise his blood alcohol concentration.” He added, “If he had consumed alcohol, he should have claimed ‘I drank’ when he appeared at the police station, but Kim Ho-jung initially denied drinking.”
The first trial court sentenced Kim Ho-jung to 2 years and 6 months in prison, stating, “Considering the defendant Kim Ho-jung's overall attitude, such as purchasing beer before entering the motel, it is questionable whether he felt any guilt for the wrongdoing he committed as an adult.” The court did not specifically mention whether he consumed additional alcohol.
Additionally, Kim Ho-jung's side emphasized that he only acted as an accomplice in getting his manager to make a false confession, stating, “He merely acted in accordance with the decisions made by the head of the agency and the manager, and did not actively decide or lead the situation.”
Regarding the charges of dangerous driving under the aggravated punishment law, they added, “There are many statements indicating that it is difficult to consider him as being in a state of extreme intoxication that would make normal driving impossible, and it cannot be concluded 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 last November.
The next hearing date for Kim Ho-jung's appeal is scheduled for March 19.
[Son Jin-a, MK Sports Reporter]
