Singer Kim Ho-jung, who is serving time for hit-and-run charges while under the influence of alcohol, was recently reported to have been transferred to a private prison.
According to a report by a media outlet on the 19th, Kim Ho-jung has been living in the Seoul Detention Center before recently being admitted to Somang Prison, located in Buknae-myeon, Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. It is said that his request was accepted, leading to the transfer.
Somang Prison is the country's first privately run prison operated by the Christian foundation Agape. It conducts rehabilitation activities for inmates based on Christian faith and selectively accepts some male inmates sentenced to fewer than seven years, excluding drug offenders and gang-related crimes, chosen by the Ministry of Justice. Kim Ho-jung was originally a Christian, and it is reported that those close to him suggested his admission to Somang Prison considering various circumstances.
Earlier, Kim Ho-jung was indicted for hitting a taxi while driving under the influence and fleeing the scene on May 9 last year on the road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. At the time, his manager surrendered on his behalf, but Kim Ho-jung reported to the police 17 hours later and admitted to driving.
The prosecution charged Kim Ho-jung with causing bodily injury while driving dangerously and fleeing, a violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, and failing to take action after an accident under the Road Traffic Act, as well as aiding and abetting a fugitive. Although his blood alcohol content was not measured, thus the DUI charge was dropped, the court stated, "He was in a condition where his judgment and reflexes were impaired due to considerable alcohol consumption," and sentenced him to two years and six months in prison.
Kim Ho-jung appealed, but his sentence was upheld in the second trial, and he finalized his sentence by dropping the appeal to the Supreme Court last May. If he serves his full term, he is expected to be released in November 2026.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]