Was it because he was asked for 30 million won by a prison guard? An eyewitness account of singer Kim Ho-joong, who continues to serve his sentence, has been released.
On the 17th, one outlet published eyewitness accounts from Korean American elder choir members who visited and volunteered at Somang Prison in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province last October.
The period when the Korean American elder choir members volunteered is presumed to be when Kim Ho-joong felt psychological pressure, worried that rejecting the prison guard's demand for money could lead to disadvantages during his future incarceration.
According to recent information from the Ministry of Justice and correctional authorities, the Seoul Regional Correctional Office confirmed circumstances that a prison guard A at Somang Prison in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, asked Kim Ho-joong, "Helped you get into Somang Prison, so give me 30 million won," and has launched an investigation.
A is reported not to have actually received money from Kim Ho-joong. Kim Ho-joong, anxious that "if he did not comply, his life in prison could become difficult," revealed the matter during interviews with internal staff, and an investigation procedure began. The Ministry of Justice is currently conducting an inspection investigation into A after receiving a related report.
In May last year, Kim Ho-joong was convicted on charges including driving under the influence, crossing the center line and colliding with an oncoming taxi in Gangnam, Seoul, fleeing the scene, and swapping drivers, and was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison. He is currently serving his sentence at the country's only private prison and is scheduled for release in November 2026.
A handwritten letter from Kim Ho-joong was recently made public through Pine Tree Party leader Song Young-gil. Kim Ho-joong expressed his desire to return, saying, "I rediscovered the reason I must stand on stage and the reason I must sing," and said, "Although my body is confined, I will humbly fill my days by reflecting every day."
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