Shin Hye-seong, a member of the group Shinhwa, was sentenced to probation. The charge was for driving while intoxicated in another person's vehicle and refusing to take a police breathalyzer test.
At 1:20 p.m. on the 20th, a sentencing hearing was held by Judge Lee Min-ji, Criminal Division 4, Seoul Eastern District Court, on charges of Shin He-seong's violation of the Road Traffic Act (refusing to take a breathalyzer test) and illegal use of a car.
On this day, the court said, "He refused to measure his blood alcohol concentration, so the crime is worse than drunk driving," but added, "He was punished for drunk driving once, but he is reflecting on it, no human or material damage occurred, and the victim does not want to be punished." Shin Hye-seong was sentenced to six months in prison and one year of probation.
Shin Hye-sung is accused of driving a distance of approximately 10 km while intoxicated from Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do to Tancheon 2 Bridge, Songpa-gu, Seoul on October 11 last year. The vehicle he was driving was someone else's vehicle, and Shin Hye-seong, who was caught by the police, refused to take a breathalyzer test and was arrested as a red-light criminal.
Shin Hye-sung was found sleeping inside her car after stopping at Tancheon 2 Bridge in Songpa-gu, Seoul around 1:40 a.m. on October 11 last year. He is accused of driving approximately 10 km while intoxicated. The vehicle he was driving was someone else's vehicle, and Shin Hye-seong, who was caught by the police, refused to take a breathalyzer test and was arrested as a red-light criminal.
Shin Hye-sung was also booked on charges of drunk driving in 2007. At the time, his blood alcohol content was 0.097%, which is the level for license suspension. Accordingly, the prosecution requested a two-year prison sentence, but Shin Hye-sung's side appealed for leniency, saying that she suffered from panic disorder, social phobia, and depression while working as an entertainer for 25 years.
Shin Hye-sung also said, "I always had to show an exemplary performance, but I am sorry for disappointing and hurting many people through this incident. I will make sure this never happens again. I will reflect on it for the rest of my life."
Taeyuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr