 |
| /Photo=Kim Chang-hyun |
, “The hit-and-run incident involving singer Kim Ho-jung (32) is becoming increasingly controversial. The involved party is escalating the situation by deceiving the public and proceeding with schedules, the confession by the CEO of the agency Thoughts Entertainment, claiming ‘I instructed it’, and even the blind devotion of the fan club ARISS adding fuel to the fire.”
“On the evening of the 9th, around 11:40 p.m., Kim Ho-jung collided with a taxi on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and fled the scene, facing accusations of hit-and-run (failing to take measures after causing a traffic accident) while changing lanes.”
“Although Kim Ho-jung’s manager initially claimed to the police that he was the one involved in the accident, it was later confirmed that Kim Ho-jung was the driver. Only after confirming this, Kim Ho-jung belatedly admitted to being the driver.”
“As a result, the alcohol test for Kim Ho-jung was conducted 17 hours after the accident occurred. The police, not obtaining significant results due to the passage of time, kept open the possibility that Kim Ho-jung was driving under the influence. Additionally, as the police confirmed that the black box memory card inside Kim Ho-jung’s vehicle was missing, they applied for a search warrant.”
“Despite the accident, Kim Ho-jung proceeded with a performance without revealing the truth and shamelessly left a well-being post in the fan cafe. Following the two-day concert at Goyang Gymnasium on the 11th and 12th as part of the ‘Tvaroti Classic Arena Tour 2024 Goyang,’ he conveyed to the fan cafe, ‘It was a time filled with love and beauty. Have a good weekend and return home safely.'”
“Nevertheless, the fan club ARISS continues to show strong support for Kim Ho-jung. However, it was revealed that Kim Ho-jung had visited a nightlife establishment in Gangnam just before the accident, perpetuating disappointing behavior. Kim Ho-jung claimed, ‘I went to the bar, but I did not drink.'”
“Furthermore, according to KBS on the 15th, immediately after causing the hit-and-run accident on the 9th, Kim Ho-jung asked his manager, Mr. A, to ‘attend the police instead of me as I caused a traffic accident while driving under the influence.'”
“The existence of an audio file containing Kim Ho-jung’s statement has been confirmed, and the police have secured it for investigation. Reports indicated that ‘in the process of attempting to switch drivers, there was evidence of systematic intervention from Kim Ho-jung’s agency.'”
“As rumors of lies spread far and wide, Thoughts Entertainment CEO Lee Kwang-deok officially stated on the 16th, ‘I instructed it.'”
“Lee Kwang-deok stated, ‘Kim Ho-jung and I, as relatives and CEO of the agency, visited a nightlife establishment for greetings during a drinking gathering. Kim Ho-jung, who was approaching the Goyang concert, did not drink at all.'”
“He then put forth a new claim regarding Kim Ho-jung’s hit-and-run incident, attributing it to ‘panic disorder symptoms.’ He cited, ‘Shortly after, Kim Ho-jung returned home first and while driving personally due to personal matters, he caused an accident due to poor driving skills. At the time of the accident, severe panic set in, leading to a mistaken judgment.'”
“Lee Kwang-deok stated, ‘After receiving a call from the manager about the accident, I realized the truth but also learned that Kim Ho-jung, under the serious panic after the accident, did not handle the accident properly and moved the vehicle. After learning that Kim Ho-jung was involved in the accident, I feared it would cause too much controversy. Another manager who arrived at the scene first removed the memory card based on his judgment, and I personally asked the manager who was known to have admitted the act to take off Kim Ho-jung’s clothes and wear them to take care of the matter on Kim Ho-jung’s behalf.'”
“He added, ‘All of this happened because I, as Kim Ho-jung’s representative and as his relative, tried to overly protect Kim Ho-jung.'”
“Lee Kwang-deok concluded, ‘Currently, all parties involved in the incident are cooperating sincerely with the investigation. The agency will do its best for post-incident handling. Everything I have conveyed so far is consistent with the police investigation.'”
“Examining potentially illegal intervention such as the involvement of lawyers and systematic concealment attempts by Kim Ho-jung’s agency, the police are investigating the agency’s extraordinary response.”