Trot singer Kim Ho-jung argued in the second trial’s first hearing on 'hit-and-run charges' that 'the first trial's sentence is too harsh,' requesting a reduction in his sentence. Previously, the first trial sentenced Kim to 2 years and 6 months in prison.
The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Appeal Division 5-3 (Presiding Judge Kim Ji-sun) held the first public trial date for Kim, who is facing charges of violating laws on the aggravated punishment of specific crimes (dangerous driving resulting in injury and fleeing), failure to provide assistance after a traffic accident, and aiding a fugitive on the 12th.
On that day, Kim's attorney noted that 'this is not a case of denying wrongdoing or disputing the crime,' but added that 'there are excessive parts in the original ruling.' The attorney argued that 'the assessment of the blood alcohol content can be interpreted as having consumed a light amount of alcohol' and stated that 'it is hard to see this as drunk driving or dangerous driving.'
The attorney also claimed that Kim had never used the so-called 'drunk driving evasion technique' by consuming additional alcohol after driving. The attorney said, 'Kim was not aware that he would be asked to take a breathalyzer test because he believed that his manager would take responsibility,' adding that 'if it had been an evasion technique, he would have consumed strong liquor instead of canned beer,' and remarked, 'As a robust man in his 30s, it is hard to comprehend that he would choose such alcohol to raise his blood alcohol content.'
The attorney argued regarding the allegation that Kim made manager Jang engage in false surrender that 'he simply acted as an accomplice based on the decisions made by the Deputy Minister and the manager.'
The court decided to conclude arguments after conducting a suspect interrogation of Kim on March 19.
Kim was arrested and indicted on suspicion of fleeing after drinking and driving while crossing the central line and colliding with a taxi on the opposite side of the road on the night of May 9 last year in Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Allegations also arose that his manager falsely surrendered on Kim's behalf, changing the identity of the driver. Kim, who initially denied the drunk driving allegations immediately after the accident, admitted to the crime ten days later. However, the prosecution excluded the drunk driving charge at the indictment stage, citing the difficulty of confirming the blood alcohol levels.
Previously, the first trial court stated, 'Despite having caused personal and material damages by colliding with the victim taxi while drunk driving, he irresponsibly fled and, further, conspired with another defendant to have his manager, Jang, falsely surrender to the investigation authorities, causing confusion in the initial investigation and resulting in a significant waste of police resources,' and imposed a prison sentence.