Trot singer Kim Ho Joong, who was sentenced to prison in his DUI hit-and-run case, has decided not to appeal to the Supreme Court, making his 2-year-and-6-month sentence final.
On May 15, Kim Ho Joong’s fan café announced, “After a long period of deep consideration, Kim Ho Joong has made the final decision to forgo an appeal.”
Kim Ho Joong was charged with violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (including dangerous driving resulting in injury and fleeing the scene), failing to take action after an accident under the Road Traffic Act, and abetting someone to hide a criminal. He was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison in both the first and second trials.
Although Kim Ho Joong’s legal team initially submitted a notice of appeal to the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Appeals Division 5-3, Kim Ho Joong ultimately chose to withdraw the appeal and accept the court’s ruling.
His side stated, “After multiple in-depth discussions with various legal experts, including a major law firm, and reviewing every possible option, this decision was made.”
Meanwhile, on May 14, just one day after the case was filed with the Supreme Court, a public defender was appointed, sparking speculation that Kim Ho Joong is facing financial difficulties.
His side responded, “He had retained a private lawyer who continued to meet and consult with him even after the second trial, and the contract for the Supreme Court appeal was already in place. The decision to cancel the appeal was ultimately the artist’s own.”
They added, “Spreading false information by suggesting economic hardship or isolation is defamation,” and stressed, “We hope Kim Ho Joong’s name is no longer distorted.”
Kim Ho Joong was charged with hitting a taxi in the opposite lane and fleeing the scene on May 9, 2023, in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul.
He went to a hotel in Gyeonggi Province and turned himself in to the police 17 hours later. While he initially denied driving under the influence, he admitted to it after CCTV footage and other evidence were revealed.
In the final trial of his appeal, Kim Ho Joong said, “While detained at the Seoul Detention Center, I reflected deeply on my wrongdoings. I will use this incident as a turning point to live a different life moving forward.”
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