Trot singer Jeong Dong-won, 18, is under prosecution investigation on suspicion of driving a vehicle without a license.
According to the legal community on the 11th, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office is investigating Jeong on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act.
Jeong Dong-won is suspected of driving a car without a license in Hadong, South Gyeongsang, in 2023. Under the current Road Traffic Act, a license can be obtained from age 18 (16 for a motor-driven cycle). Born in 2007, Jeong was not old enough at the time to obtain a driver's license.
Earlier, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul referred the case to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, finding that the suspicion of Jeong Dong-won's unlicensed driving was established. The case was later transferred to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office in consideration of Jeong Dong-won's residence and other factors.
Jeong Dong-won's unlicensed driving allegation came to light in March during the process of arresting a group of extortionists. The group secured Jeong Dong-won's mobile phone and allegedly threatened, "If you don't pay 500 million won, we will leak your private life." After the agency filed a complaint, all three members of the extortion ring were arrested, and Jeong Dong-won was questioned by police as a victim. It is known that video on the mobile phone obtained by police at that time showed Jeong Dong-won driving a truck without a license.
In relation to this, Jeong Dong-won's agency, ShowPLAY Entertainment, said the same day, "We bow our heads and apologize for the unfortunate incident involving Jeong Dong-won." Jeong Dong-won's legal representative also said, "Jeong Dong-won drove just once out of curiosity," adding, "He is deeply reflecting and faithfully cooperating with the investigation."
Meanwhile, in March last year, Jeong Dong-won was caught riding a motorcycle on a controlled-access road while unlicensed. At the time, prosecutors issued a suspension of indictment, considering that Jeong Dong-won was a minor and a first-time offender.