Seoul, South Korea - Popular trot singer Kim Ho-joong was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Wednesday for a hit-and-run accident.
Seoul Central District Court Judge Choi Min-hye found Kim guilty of charges including dangerous driving resulting in injury and leaving the scene of an accident. The court stated, "Given Kim's overall attitude, we question whether he has any remorse for the wrong he committed. The CCTV footage clearly shows that Kim was stumbling due to the influence of alcohol, but he made unconvincing excuses and denied the charges, indicating a poor attitude after the crime."
The court also considered mitigating factors such as Kim's eventual admission of guilt and his payment of 60 million won in compensation to the victim.
Lee Kwang-duk, former CEO of Think Entertainment (now Art M&C), and another company executive were also sentenced to two years and one year and six months in prison, respectively, for their involvement in the cover-up. Kim's manager, Jang, received a one-year suspended sentence and was ordered to attend 40 hours of traffic safety classes and perform 200 hours of community service.
On May 9, Kim was driving under the influence of alcohol in Gangnam district, Seoul, when he struck a taxi and fled the scene. He instructed his manager to take the blame for the accident. Kim eventually turned himself in to the police 17 hours later.
While the police initially suspected Kim of driving under the influence, prosecutors dropped the charge due to difficulties in determining his blood alcohol content at the time of the accident.
Lee and the other executive ordered Jang to remove the black box from the vehicle and to wear Kim's clothes to make it appear as if he had been driving. Jang disposed of the memory card from the black box in a toilet to destroy evidence.
Kim's case has garnered significant attention in South Korea, highlighting the consequences of drunk driving and the importance of accountability.
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