Trot singer Kim Ho-joong repeatedly pleaded for leniency through a letter of reflection.
On the 19th, during the final appeal trial held by the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeal Division 5-3 (Chief Judges Kim Ji-sun, So Byung-jin, Kim Yong-joong), the prosecution requested a sentence of 3 years and 6 months in prison for Kim Ho-joong.
The prosecution had previously requested the same sentence in the first trial. The court, however, sentenced him to 2 years and 6 months in prison.
Wearing a light blue prison uniform, Kim appeared using crutches. He had the opportunity to make a final statement before sentencing and read his letter of reflection.
Kim Ho-joong apologized, saying, “I am sorry for causing public concern. I apologize to the victim as well. I am also sorry for wasting public resources due to my incident.”
He continued, “I spent the past four seasons here reflecting on each and every one of my mistakes. I know this guilt will never be erased. I will use this incident as a turning point to live a different life. Everything is my fault, my mistake. I sincerely regret it,” he apologized once again.
Kim’s lawyer argued that after the accident due to drunk driving, Kim did not interfere with the measurement of his blood alcohol level. He added, “Kim Ho-joong should not be excessively misunderstood and subjected to excessive punishment. The sentence from the first trial is too severe. Please consider that he has no previous criminal record.”
Kim was involved in an accident last year on May 9 at around 11:40 p.m. when he hit a taxi on the opposite lane in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, and fled the scene. He went to a hotel in Gyeonggi Province and appeared for a police investigation 17 hours later. Although he strongly denied driving under the influence during the investigation, he admitted to the act after CCTV and other evidence were revealed.
The sentence for Kim Ho-joong will be announced on April 25.
Reporter Yoo Hye-ji: [email protected]