On the 24th, a decision on the arrest of popular trot singer Kim Ho-jung (33) and executives of his agency, who are suspected of “drink driving” and other charges, will be made. Despite admitting to drunk driving, Kim has expressed his intention to proceed with his scheduled concerts on the 23rd and 24th, although it seems difficult in reality.
According to legal sources on the 22nd, Chief Judge Shin Yeong-hee of the Seoul Central District Court will conduct a pre-arrest interrogation for Kim starting at noon on the 24th. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office previously requested arrest warrants for Kim, Lee Kwang-deok, the CEO of Think Entertainment, and the former managing director. Kim and Lee will each undergo the interrogation at 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., respectively.
Kim is accused of aggravated desertion under the Special Act on Certain Crimes, as well as dangerous driving causing injury. The CEO is charged with aiding and abetting a criminal’s escape, while the former managing director faces charges of tampering with evidence. However, no arrest warrant has been requested for the manager who falsely confessed to the police instead of Kim after the initial accident.
The police, who recently stated that they were not considering securing new recruits, have now applied for an arrest warrant, and the prosecution has also requested one, putting the focus on whether Kim will be arrested. A legal source explained, “The circumstances surrounding the crimes of aggravated desertion, evidence tampering, and whether the individuals were involved in ordering or aiding Kim’s evidence tampering could be important factors in determining whether to arrest them.”
Previously, Kim’s side announced that the concert ‘World Union Orchestra Super Classic: Kim Ho-jung & Prima Donna’ scheduled for the 23rd and 24th at the KSPO Dome in Songpa-gu, Seoul, would proceed as planned. However, with the pre-arrest interrogations set for the 24th, the concert on that day will likely be impossible. Usually, suspects attend the pre-arrest interrogations, making quick decisions, even if Kim were to perform at the concert scheduled for 8 p.m. on that day. Kim’s side stated that the concert on the 23rd would proceed as planned.
On the evening of the 9th, Kim, who is being investigated by the police for allegedly crashing into a taxi and fleeing across the centerline of a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, attended the Gangnam Police Station on the 21st at 2 p.m. He completed all interrogations by 5 p.m., but refused to leave the police station lobby and eventually revealed himself, saying, “What does a sinner have to say,” as journalists waited past 10 p.m.