Singer Kim Ho-jung (34), who received a prison sentence for hit-and-run charges, has been transferred to Somang Prison, Korea's only private prison.
According to the legal community and Kim Ho-jung's fan club on the 20th, he was transferred from the Seoul Detention Center, where he was incarcerated, to Somang Prison in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province on the 18th.
Kim Ho-jung's official fan club 'Tvaroti' noted, "The singer moved to a new place on August 18," and added, "We ask for warm prayers and support to help him adapt well to the new environment and stay healthy."
Somang Prison is the only private prison in Korea focused on rehabilitation. It is operated in a non-profit manner by the Christian foundation 'Agape' under a government commission. It is known for its low recidivism rate achieved through a correctional method that calls inmates by their names instead of inmate numbers and by providing individualized rehabilitation education.
This facility has restricted admission qualifications, limited to male inmates who have received a sentence of 7 years or less and have at least 1 year remaining on their term, as selected by the Ministry of Justice. Those convicted of drug offenses or organized crime are excluded.
Kim Ho-jung is originally a Protestant and has been reported to have decided to enter after encouragement from those around him.
Meanwhile, Kim Ho-jung fled the scene after crashing into a taxi while crossing the center line in a drunken state on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, last May. Subsequently, he faced criticism as details emerged of him changing drivers and damaging the vehicle's black box memory card.
The first and second trial courts sentenced him to 2 years and 6 months in prison, and Kim Ho-jung's sentence was confirmed when he abandoned his appeal.