Trot singer Kim Ho-jung (33), who was sentenced to prison in the second trial for the charge of ‘drunk hit-and-run’, has confirmed that he will abandon his appeal, solidifying his sentence of 2 years and 6 months.
On the 15th, Kim Ho-jung's team posted on the fan cafe, stating, “After a long period of deep contemplation, Kim Ho-jung has made the final decision to abandon the appeal today.”
In the appeal trial held on the 24th of last month regarding violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing injury), Kim Ho-jung was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison, the same as the original sentence.
Lee Kwang-deuk, the CEO of Think Entertainment, and Jeon Mo, the head of the department, who were indicted for their involvement in concealing Kim Ho-jung's drunk driving incident, received sentences of 2 years and 1 year and 6 months, respectively. Manager Jang Mo, who falsely confessed on behalf of Kim Ho-jung, received a sentence of 1 year with a 2-year probation.
The court stated, “Mr. Kim's accident and the nature of the escape are poor, and the circumstances after the crime are also unfavorable,” adding, “The defendants not only participated in the organized escape of the perpetrator but also actively destroyed evidence even after it was revealed that Mr. Kim was the actual driver.”
It further stated, “Considering the fact that there was a settlement with the victim and that this is a first offense or there are no prior convictions, it does not seem that the original sentence exceeds a reasonable range,” and dismissed both the prosecution's and Kim Ho-jung's appeals.
Following the verdict, the former head of the department submitted an appeal abandonment document on the 28th of last month, and CEO Lee Kwang-deuk submitted his on the 29th. Kim Ho-jung submitted an appeal on the 1st but decided not to proceed with it after much consideration.
Meanwhile, Kim Ho-jung was arrested and indicted for driving under the influence on May 9 of last year, after crossing the center line and colliding with a taxi on the opposite road, then fleeing the scene and having his manager turn himself in on his behalf.
Kim Ho-jung, who initially denied the drunk driving, admitted to the crime ten days after the accident. The police applied the charge of drunk driving and referred Kim Ho-jung to the prosecution, but it was excluded at the indictment stage. The prosecution determined that it was difficult to confirm the blood alcohol level based solely on reverse calculation.
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
