In Seoul Gangnam, the decision on whether to detain singer Kim Ho-jung (33), who caused an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol and fled the scene, will be made today (24th).
The chief judge in charge of the warrant at the Seoul Central District Court, Shin Young-hee, will hold a warrant review hearing around noon today on charges including dangerous driving causing an accident under the aggravated punishment act, hit-and-run causing an accident under the Road Traffic Act, failure to take action after an accident, and aiding the escape of a suspect.
The substantive review of the warrant for Kim’s manager, Im Kwang-deok (41), who is accused of instructing false charges (aiding the escape of a suspect), and the warrant for the former department head, Mr. Mo, who is accused of removing the black box memory card from Kim’s vehicle (evidence tampering), will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. respectively.
Police applied for the warrants on the grounds of evidence tampering and a high possibility of flight. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, which requested the warrants, stated the day before that “the case is serious, and there is a significant concern about evidence tampering,” and that the assigned prosecutor will attend the substantive review of the warrant to present their opinion and argue for the detention.
While it is mainly the police who participate in warrant review hearings for cases where a warrant is requested, it is known that the responsible prosecutor participates in the review hearings for important cases.
Police believe that Kim was in a drunken state when he grabbed the steering wheel at the time of the accident.
Police have obtained CCTV footage showing Kim leaving his residence in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul about 10 minutes before the accident, staggering and walking, and getting into a white sports utility vehicle (SUV).
Furthermore, police have reportedly secured statements from employees at the entertainment establishment Kim visited before returning home and from companions at the drinking party, confirming that Kim drank about three bottles of soju alone.
Kim’s defense attorney is expected to emphasize the need for investigation without detention, highlighting that Kim admitted to the charges belatedly and cooperated with the police in three rounds of summons, as well as arguing that as a well-known public figure, there is a low risk of flight.
Kim’s side had also requested a postponement of the warrant review hearing date, but the court rejected the request.
The request for postponement was believed to be related to Kim’s scheduled performance in Seoul on the 23rd and 24th.
In the end, Kim decided not to take the stage today.
On the 9th of the previous month, at around 11:40 p.m., Kim caused an accident colliding with a taxi on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, and then fled the scene.
After 17 hours from the accident, Kim appeared before the police and raised suspicions of driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as attempting to cover up the accident in collusion with his agency.
(Photo=Yonhap News)