Nam Taehyun ultimately could not avoid a prison sentence.
On the afternoon of the 9th, Yang Eun-sang, presiding judge of Criminal Division 11 at the Seoul Western District Court, sentenced Nam Taehyun, who was indicted on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving and speeding), to one year in prison and a fine of 1 million won.
The court criticized, "The defendant has confessed and shown remorse, but after receiving a sentence of more than a fine for drunk driving, he drove drunk again within 10 years. He was also given a suspended prison sentence for violating narcotics control laws, and committing this offense during the suspended sentence makes him highly blameworthy."
The court went on to explain the sentencing rationale, "His blood alcohol concentration was high, and driving at 182 km/h and hitting a curb shows the danger under the Road Traffic Act was significant, requiring stern punishment." However, the court found there was no evidence destruction or flight risk and did not issue an arrest warrant.
Earlier, Nam Taehyun is accused of, on April 27 last year, while heading toward Ilsan on the Gangbyeonbuk-ro, attempting to pass a car near Dongjak-daero and crashing into the median barrier. There were no casualties, and at the time Nam Taehyun's blood alcohol concentration was reported to be at or above 0.08%, the level for license cancellation.
The problem is that Nam Taehyun was serving a suspended prison sentence for alleged drug use at the time, and because this was his second drunk-driving incident after being caught for drunk driving in 2023 and receiving a summary order of a 6 million won fine, criticism was strong.
Nam Taehyun's side pleaded for leniency, saying, "He fully confessed to his crimes and cooperated sincerely with the investigation," and "He went through a difficult time, hospitalized in a psychiatric ward under social stigma. He is now working as an office worker and trying to live as a sincere, ordinary citizen. Please give him one last chance."
In his final statement, Nam Taehyun also said, "I lived under pressure in an environment different from a normal life, and in that process I covered immaturity, shortcomings and foolishness with inspiration and depression," adding, "I was lucky to gain popularity, fame and financial rewards, but my inner self was not prepared."
He added, "I was dumb and foolish," and "I fully understand that past wrongdoings cannot be tolerated. I will change myself so the same thing does not happen again."
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]